Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Hendrik Ekstein admitted that he would welcome back former teammate George Lebese, should he make the move from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Lebese signed for the Chloorkop-based club in August 2017, leaving Chiefs after nine years at Naturena.

Things have not worked out for the forward at Downs however, as he has struggled to break into the team and has not played a single minute this season.

Masandawana coach Pitso Mosimane admitted that Lebese will be allowed to leave the club in the current transfer window, and rumours are that he could make a return to the Soweto giants after he was seen attending some Chiefs games.

Ekstein was subsequently asked how the squad would react, should Lebese return to the club.

‘If he returns, then we would welcome him,’ Ekstein told the Sowetan.

‘It would be good for him, because he is not playing at his current club.

‘I think he would be able to have a better chance in the team, because we know he is a good player and know what he can do.

‘He was a key player for us and would always score in crucial moments.

‘He was like an elder brother to me because he was in the team for a long time and I was sort of his junior.’

Ekstein himself has been revitalised under new manager Ernst Middendorp, as he won the Man of the Match award in the victory at Wits, where he scored the second goal in the 2-0 victory.

Chiefs are next in action when they take on Zesco United in the Caf Confederation Cup in Zambia on Sunday, and with a packed fixture schedule on the horizon the arrival of Lebese will provide Middendorp extra firepower for the run-in.