BONGANI Khumalo is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a serious knee injury but is still a month away from travelling back to England to rejoin Tottenham Hotspur.

The former Bafana Bafana captain ruptured the patella tendon in his knee playing for South Africa against Brazil in early March and faces another five months on the sidelines while he works his way back to full fitness.

With a year remaining on his contract at Spurs, Khumalo will return to the club when doctors give him the green light to fly following his surgery.

"He is very upbeat, it is now five or so weeks after the incident and he is actually ahead of schedule in his recovery," the 27-year-old's agent, Glyn Binkin, said from London.

"He has a decent range of movement, though he is still restricted and it is about bringing him along at the right pace to ensure he is not rushed back too soon. But the doctors are very happy, he was operated on by one of the top surgeons in the country so he is in good hands."

Binkin says at this stage there is no indication that there will be any long-term effects of the injury. "He is expected to make a full recovery and despite the seriousness of the injury will be able to play at the highest level once he gets there."

As for his future prospects, Binkin was non-committal.

"His immediate goal is to get fit and healthy again, after that he still has a year to go on his current contract with Spurs and we will see what happens. Nothing has been decided yet."

Khumalo had been on loan at English Championship side Doncaster Rovers this season.