Cape Town - Orlando Pirates have confirmed that goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo is being nursed back to full health and could be available for the club's next outing against Chippa United on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old took ill during his time away with Bafana Bafana when they visited Mozambique earlier this month. As such, SuperSport United's Ronwen Williams featured in goal against Os Mambas.
The news of Mhlongo's imminent return to full fitness will come as a boost as the Soweto-born star has become Pirates' undoubted number one in recent times.
However, Jackson Mabokgwane recorded a clean sheet in Bucs' most recent 1-0 victory over Free State Stars, meaning it may not necessarily be an automatic choice who coach Augusto Palacios selects his team.
Nonetheless, Palacios explained why Mhlongo had not been picked against Ea Lla Koto, saying: "Brighton came back from Mozambique and he was sick so we are just medicating him and letting him recover."
Later, Sea Robbers' Media Officer Thandi Merafe confirmed he would soon return to the fold, adding: "He is sick but he will be back soon."
Pirates face the struggling Chilli Boys in Tuesday's Premiership clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The action gets underway from 19:30 in Port Elizabeth.