Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro will have different options in selecting his line-up for the team's return after the Africa Cup of Nations break as several players who have been nursing injuries have since made progress.
Pirates will resume their 2023/24 league campaign with a home match against Chippa United next Tuesday.
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Following injuries to some of the key players in the first half of the season, the Buccaneers' medical team have had time to work on them to ensure their readiness for the restart.
Against SuperSport United in December, Bucs had their influential captain Innocent Maela making a return for six minutes as the technical team wanted to slowly introduce him after missing the better part of the season due to injury.
The defender's injury also cost him a place in Bafana Bafana's AFCON squad that is doing duty in Ivory Coast.
Insiders have confirmed that the 31-year-old has fully recovered to compete for a starting berth in Riveiro's team.
Another star expected to fight for a return in the starting line-up after missing several matches this season is Kabelo Dlamini.
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After being given a run against Stellenbosch FC in their last match before the break, the 27-year-old is understood to have returned to full fitness to challenge for a place to start.
Veteran striker Kermit Erasmus, Sipho Chaine, Lesedi Kapinga, Makhehleni Makhaula, Thabiso Monyane are other players understood to have recovered, while there has also been progress for the likes of Paseka Mako and Azola Matrose.
