Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Cedric Kaze has revealed that defender Aden McCarthy will undergo a late fitness test as the club faces multiple injury concerns ahead of their crucial Betway Premiership encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns.
McCarthy was forced off during Chiefs' previous league fixture against Richards Bay last Tuesday and has not trained since, raising doubts about his availability for Wednesday's high-profile clash.
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Speaking to journalists at Chiefs Village in Naturena, Johannesburg on Monday morning ahead of their PSL encounter, Kaze confirmed that McCarthy is among several players facing potential absence from the squad.
“About Aden (McCarthy), he hasn’t trained since that day. The medical staff is working very hard to put him back. But we will have to wait and see how he does tomorrow to decide whether he will be part of the game or not. Apart from that, we have (Nkanyiso) Shinga and (Bradley) Cross, who have been sick the past two days. Then (Etiosa) Ighodaro, who joined training (just) two days ago. Apart from that, everyone is well and ready for the game," Kaze told journalists.
The assistant coach also provided an update on the club's long-term injury concerns, revealing that both Rushwin Dortley and Given Msimango remain some distance from returning to action.
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"(Given) Msimango and (Rushwin) Dortley. Those are injuries that have been (here) for a long time. Msimango is doing better, but these are not players that we believe will be with us at least this month. Probably, Msimango, next month," Kaze concluded.
The injury concerns come at a critical juncture for Chiefs, who will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the season against the defending champions.
With McCarthy's defensive stability potentially missing and illness affecting key squad members, Kaze may need to rely heavily on Chiefs' summer signings or squad depth to navigate what promises to be their sternest test of the campaign so far. The timing of these fitness issues will test the resilience that the technical team has been building since their Netherlands preseason camp.
