Chaine back from injury for Buccaneers

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has returned to training after a long injury layoff and could be on the bench on Friday when the Buccaneers host Stellenbosch in the DStv Premiership.

Chaine hurt his knee playing for Pirates against Cape Town Spurs in the first round of the Carling Knockout on October 20 and had to be replaced by Melusi Buthelezi.

Chaine has missed 11 matches since for the Buccaneers with Buthelezi taking over as first choice at the club, keeping Ghana skipper Richard Ofori on the bench.

The 27-year-old Chaine is in his second season at Pirates after joining from Chippa United.

Last Saturday, captain Innocent Maela returned from a long term injury to appear for Pirates as a second half substitute in their 3-1 loss to SuperSport United in Polokwane.

Pirates also have Vincent Pule back available, and in contention for a place, after missing recent games after suffering concussion.

But Thabang Monare, who was named in the South Africa squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast, has been a longh term absentee while left back Paseko Mako has not played since mid-October.