Orlando Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret has confirmed the imminent return of midfielders Thabo Qalinge and Thabo Rakhale from their respective knee injuries.

Both fan-favourites are yet to make an appearance for the Soweto giants in 2017 after undergoing surgery during the AFCON break.

With both players having returned to full training last month, Jonevret has revealed that the attacking-duo could be available for Pirates’ Nedbank quarter-final against Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday.

‘They are close now,’ he told kickoff’s website.

‘Hopefully we will have a friendly game this week so that I can see them in 90 minutes.

‘But everybody is now back in training,’ he added.

The Swedish mentor also highlighted the improved performances of Orlando Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa in recent games.

‘When I arrived, everybody talked that Oupa has been a little bit down, his form has not been good.

‘I think he has been a key player for the team in the last five, six, seven games that I’ve been here now. He is important for us.

‘He does a lot of work in defence and is comfortable on the ball. He is an important guy [for the team].,’ he concluded.

Pirates host Celtic at the Orlando Stadium in a Nedbank cup quartrt-final tie on Saturday, with kick-off set for 20:30.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix