Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen is expected to be discharged from hospital on Monday following an appendix operation on Friday that ruled him out of the Soweto derby.
But it is not known how long the first-choice goalkeeper will be out of action, although appendectomy recovery typically takes between three weeks and six weeks.
Petersen fell ill during the week and on Friday had to have surgery, which is a blow to his own hopes of making the Bafana Bafana squad as a back-up goalkeeper for March’s friendly internationals against Panama.
It was also a blow to Chiefs, for whom Petersen had been ever-present in the league this season.
Bruce Bvuma was pressed into service for the derby against Orlando Pirates, where Chiefs lost 3-0 to slip 11 points behind in the Betway Premiership title chase.
It was Bvuma’s first game since the last league derby between the two clubs on May 3.
Bvuma was dropped after that game and Petersen brought in as a surprise first choice goalkeeper for the Nedbank Cup final one week later, which saw Chiefs beat Pirates 2-1 to win a first trophy in 10 years.
Petersen has since held onto his place in the Chiefs’ line-up.
Petersen joins the likes of Rushwin Dortley, George Matlou and Given Msimango on the injury list.