Cape Town City and coach Benni McCarthy have been boosted by the return of top-scorer Siphelele Mthembu following his injury setback, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Mthembu sustained an injury during City’s Absa Premier victory over Kaizer Chiefs on 30 January, but missed their 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu last weekend.

Prior to his injury, Mthembu was in fine form for the Citizens, having already scored seven goals in 19 appearances across all competitions, with the striker looking to continue his form on his return.

McCarthy says that Mthembu could replace Kermit Erasmus in their upcoming cup match if Erasmus is unable to last the full 90 minutes.

‘When you look at the Highlands side‚ they are a physical unit and we have become petite overnight. We have got smaller and smaller‚ and shorter and shorter,’ Benni told the media.

‘Having Shaka back and able to train yesterday and today‚ he bulks up our squad a little bit more.

‘It means I don’t have to worry whether Kermit [Erasmus] will last the 90 minutes. I know Shaka would love to pick up where he left off.

‘He finds himself in a position he has not been in before in his career‚ to be top scorer in South Africa this season.

‘Every goal counts and he needs to up his tally.’

Cape Town City are set to welcome Highlands Park to Cape Town Stadium when the two sides square off in the Nedbank Cup last 16 on Friday, with kick-off set for 8pm.