The Amakhosi will be without their skipper and the goal scorer of their only goal during their first round ABSA Premiership 2-1 loss to Moroka Swallows back in November, when they travel to Rustenburg to face the Birds in an ABSA Premiership on Sunday.

Shaun Bartlett will miss the game as he has a problem with Achilles tendon, but according to the Chiefs medical team they are hopeful that he will return to full training on Monday and is not expected to miss next week's crucial match against Mamelodi Sundowns. Young midfielder Mandla Masango has been tending to an ankle problem all week and reserve keeper Markus Bocsker left training early on Friday after taking a knock to the face.

Bartlett off

Muhsin Ertugral was not too happy to lose his skipper through injury and made it clear to kaizerchiefs.com saying, “Shaun’s work rate during a match is very high, to be with out his experience and leadership abilities is a setback. We do have the cover for him and I hope that Mabhudi who has scored four goals in four matches can continue finding the back of the net for us”, a cynical Bartlett commenting on his injury explained to kaizerchiefs.com “it was all the jumping I did against Sundowns last Sunday that caused the damage”.

Masango ready

An ankle problem, which prevented him from training all week, has been successfully treated and Masango should be able to team up with the South Africa U-20 team for their international friendly in just over a week’s time against Botswana in Itsoseng in the North West Province.

Masango said of his injury, “I am feeling fine and have been told by the doctors that I will be able to resume regular training on Monday which is good news for me as I am looking forward to playing the friendly against Botswana. As it is an important match for the u-20’s with the qualifying match for the CAF U-20 tournament on the horizon soon, if I do well in that game it opens the door for me at club level once more”.