Cape Town - Chippa United midfielder Philane Shange admits he feels "useless" as he continues to recover from a fractured shin sustained earlier this term.
The off-season signing from AmaZulu picked up the injury in only his second appearance for the Chilli Boys, a 3-2 defeat at Platinum Stars on September 22.
Shange has not featured since for the Port Elizabeth club, who are eighth in the Premier standings after winning four of their opening 11 games in the new campaign.
The 30-year-old is making progress in his recovery and hopes to rejoin his team-mates for training after the mid-season break, admitting these past few months have been frustrating times for him.
"I feel like I am useless at times because I wake up in the morning and then find myself having to sleep again," Shange told KickOff.
"That feeling of getting injured so early into your stay with a new club is very depressing. It is actually every footballer's fear.
"Worse for me is that I am back home here in Durban and reading all different things in the newspapers about my team.
"Luckily, I am making progress because the club has organised me a physiotherapist here in Durban. I am now out of the moon boot and I have stopped using the crutches.
"I can safely walk now but I am not yet jogging. I am hoping to be back with the club early next year because I miss football."