With Sundowns entering a busy week with Nedbank Cup and Caf Champions League action, co-coach Rhulani Mokwena has revealed that Gaston Sirino suffered a relapse and is back on the injury list consisting of seven stars.

The Uruguay forward has been edging his way back to full fitness after he broke his nose during the club’s Caf Champions League group-stage opener against Al Hilal nearly three weeks ago.

fter the Nedbank Cup game against ABC Motsepe League outfit Mathaithai FC on Tuesday, Sundowns will quickly turn their attention to the Caf Champions League clash with Al Ahly.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Nedbank Cup match, Mokwena announced Sirino had suffered a calf strain in a recent friendly. He looks to be the only player added to the injury list which already includes Denis Onyango, Mosa Lebusa, new signing Erwin Saavedra, Gift Motupa, Pavol Safranko and Rivaldo Coetzee.

“Sirino, unfortunately, had a relapse,” the coach told journalists.

“It’s still the same [injury list]. We will take a long time if we go through it, the status quo hasn’t changed. The doctors will assess some of the players. Maybe only Gaston is now back on to that list having suffered a calf strain in a friendly match on Saturday – that has set him back a little bit after he was recovering from the broken-nose incident. Even while he was still getting accustomed to playing with a mask, now unfortunately he has suffered another setback.

“But Kennedy [Mweene] has proven that when given a chance you have to take it,” Mokwena said about the goalkeeper stepping up in Onyango’s absence, “especially in a big match like the 1-0 win away at Ahly.

“That goes for everybody else. We don’t focus too much on who is out, but a lot more on who is available and give them our energy, confidence and belief to carry on and take the baton to continue with this relay.”