With Onismor Bhasera almost a certainty to miss Chiefs game again Sundowns on Sunday and with Fabian McCarthy having to sit out the match through suspension, Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral was looking for some positive news on Thursday. It came for him in the form of striker Shaun Bartlett who passed through a full training session for the first time this week. The veteran striker had to miss The Amakhosi’s recent 3-1 win over Moroka Swallows with an Achilles tendon problem. After a limited role in Wednesday’s training session, it was a relief for Ertugral to see Bartlett go through the normal training routine on Thursday.

Bartlett to is optimistic about playing in the match and wants to help Chiefs open up a further points gap over Sundowns.

Pain relief

Bartlett headed for the physiotherapists room after training on Thursday and was pleased to inform the Chiefs medical team that he was not feeling any side effects from the session. As he explained by saying “I was concerned as to how I would cope in the session, thankfully I came out of it fine and was able to fully participate and did not hold back at all. At the moment I am feeling fine lets see how things progress on Friday at this point though I am must stress that I am quite positive about getting to play some part in Sunday’s match”.

Sundowns aim

Of Sunday’s much talked about ABSA Premiership match, the Chiefs captain was looking forward to the game, and believes that there is a lot at stake in the match for The Amakhosi and that winning the game was imperative. “We ahead of Sundowns on points and would like to pull further away from them, this game is one of those that you would like to at the end of the season look back and be pleased with the fact that you have won it. We have been doing well recently and I think we have the drive to do well in this match”.