Thembinkosi Lorch and Sipho Mbule close to Mamelodi Sundowns return

Sundowns will face eSwatini outfit Mbabane Swallows as they begin their inter-club campaign at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening – kick-off at 19:00.

With Lorch absent since the end of last season, when he suffered an injury that required surgery against Stellenbosch and ruled him out for an extended period, Mngqithi declared the former Orlando Pirates attacker could be back in the fold soon.

"I think Lorch is close to the matchday squad, he has played in a friendly against Sekhukhune [United] and he's been training quite well," said the coach.

"It was just unfortunate [on Thursday] he had a minor stiffness in his hamstring, which is why he pulled out of training early, but otherwise we are happy with the contribution he might make.

"We are also happy with the commitment and level of professionalism that he's been showing throughout, from the beginning of pre-season when he was still injured."

Mbule has also been unavailable since Downs' 1-1 draw with TS Galaxy in the tail end of the previous league campaign, but Mngqithi says he is back in contention and his performances will earn him a recall to the playing squad.

"Sipho [is] another player that has started full training, and it will only depend on the numbers and everything else, but he can be selected into the team – it's all up to him at this stage because I believe he's been training very well," he concluded.

READ: Manqoba Mngqithi: Iqraam Rayners must earn Sundowns spot

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