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The 29-year-old has yet to figure for the Brazilians this season due to a hamstring strain
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has confirmed that forward Gaston Sirino has started light training and should be ready for his Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash against AmaZulu on 22 November.
Hosting Usuthu would be Sundowns’ first game after the FIFA international break and, if Sirino is sent, it will be his first game of the season.
A hamstring injury sustained during the preseason has sidelined the Uruguayan whose absence has been felt by Mngqithi’s own admission earlier.
“He should be ready to play in the next game after the FIFA break, we were just being cautious because he had a grade two hamstring [strain] and it has taken us two and a half weeks, but we are hopeful because light training has already started, so when we come back he will be back with the team, ”Mngqithi said according to Phakaaathi.
The news that Sirino is approaching a return to competitive action came at a time when reports of his possible departure from Downs are gaining traction.
The attacking midfielder has been strongly linked to a trade to eight-time African champion Al Ahly, where his former Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is said to be eager to reunite.
Reports suggest that Sirino agreed to join the Cairo giants, but the Brazilians are unwilling to let him go.
Sirino arrived at the Tshwane giants in January 2018 from the Bolivian side of Bolívar and has already completed two full seasons at Chloorkop.
In June 2020, he extended his Sundowns contract for another five years amid Al Ahly’s already reported interest, which is said to have now increased with Mosimane’s arrival in Egypt.
During Sirino’s absence so far this season, creative responsibilities have fallen more to Themba Zwane.
“The role that he [Zwane] What he’s been playing is trying to present a bit of creativity in the team more like a No. 10 in attack and help us defensively, ”Mngqithi said.
“We know what he is capable of, but we still expect a little more from him. We know what he can do and we hope that his game will give us better numbers in terms of assists and goals that he scores … he, Gaston Sirino or whoever plays number 10, even Haashim Domingo, must give us something. “
Zwane himself has reportedly attracted Al Ahly’s interest as well.
