PLATINUM Stars midfielder Edward Williams has been ruled out for the rest of the season by a knee injury.

PLATINUM Stars midfielder Edward Williams has been ruled out for the rest of the season by a knee injury.

Williams went under the knife on Tuesday after sustaining the injury during "Dinaledi's" (Stars have ditched their "Tycoons" nickname) match against Mamelodi Sundowns last month.

"He had a controlling role in the middle of the park so this is a big blow for us. But he will get all the time he needs to get better," said team manager Obed Legobate.

The hard-tackling Williams had only recently started commanding a regular berth under Steve Komphela, after a long spell spentkicking his heels on the sidelines last season.

While Williams recovers, Dillon Sheppard and Coldrin Coetzee are expected to take responsibility in the midfield.

"We have more players capable of commanding the midfield - the likes of Kagiso Senamela (and) Tshepo Ramokala," Legobate said.

Striker Hareaipha Marumo went under the knife on the same day as Williams. It was unclear yesterday how long Marumo would be out of action.

"Simba was also very uncomfortable after the Mamelodi Sundowns match due to this recurring growth on his knee. We will try different combinations," Lebogate said.

Comforting news for Stars is the return to fitness of defenders Daniel "Sailor" Tshabalala and Oscar Ntwagae.

Their next match is on November 21 against tail-enders Jomo Cosmos at Moruleng Stadium.