MARITZBURG United are sweating over the fitness of star Delron Buckley as they prepare to host Moroka Swallows in the Telkom Knockout this weekend.
The veteran midfielder was due to add to his 72 Bafana Bafana Bafana caps against Kenya on Tuesday night, but had to pull out of the fixture with back spasms.
It is likely that Buckley would have taken the place of Siphiwe Tshabalala in the starting line-up for South Africa, but coach Gordon Igesund was denied the chance to see him in action.
Buckley's fitness is now Maritzburg's problem, though, and coach Ernest Middendorp faces an anxious wait to find out the severity of his complaint.
The 34-year-old arrived back in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday and will be assessed by the club's medical staff. Buckley has been a key figure for the club this season, winning numerous man of the match awards as the focal point of their attacking play.
Aside from Buckley, the Maritzburg squad has been given a clean bill of health, with only on-loan midfielder Mthokozisi Yende suspended after his needless red card against Chippa United earlier this month.
This will be the first meeting between the sides in the Telkom Knockout competition, with United having only made it past the first round once in their six seasons in the competition.
They beat Bloemfontein Celtic and Mamelodi Sundowns on their way to the semifinals in 2010, before a comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Orlando Pirates ended their hopes of a first major title. The two sides did meet in the first round of the Nedbank Cup last year, with Swallows winning 3-0.
Buckley fitness in no doubt
MARITZBURG United are sweating over the fitness of star Delron Buckley as they prepare to host Moroka Swallows in the Telkom Knockout this weekend.
The veteran midfielder was due to add to his 72 Bafana Bafana Bafana caps against Kenya on Tuesday night, but had to pull out of the fixture with back spasms.
It is likely that Buckley would have taken the place of Siphiwe Tshabalala in the starting line-up for South Africa, but coach Gordon Igesund was denied the chance to see him in action.
Buckley's fitness is now Maritzburg's problem, though, and coach Ernest Middendorp faces an anxious wait to find out the severity of his complaint.
The 34-year-old arrived back in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday and will be assessed by the club's medical staff. Buckley has been a key figure for the club this season, winning numerous man of the match awards as the focal point of their attacking play.
Aside from Buckley, the Maritzburg squad has been given a clean bill of health, with only on-loan midfielder Mthokozisi Yende suspended after his needless red card against Chippa United earlier this month.
This will be the first meeting between the sides in the Telkom Knockout competition, with United having only made it past the first round once in their six seasons in the competition.
They beat Bloemfontein Celtic and Mamelodi Sundowns on their way to the semifinals in 2010, before a comprehensive 3-0 defeat by Orlando Pirates ended their hopes of a first major title. The two sides did meet in the first round of the Nedbank Cup last year, with Swallows winning 3-0.
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