'Khune will have to fight for his jersey'

ITUMELENG Khune has been warned that he will have to prove himself all over again if he is to wrestle back his place in the Kaizer Chiefs line-up.

The 27-year-old national team and club captain is still weeks away from recovering from an ankle injury, but when he comes back coach Stuart Baxter says he faces a fight to get back his place.

"It is going to be a while for him to get his fitness back and then it will be a battle for him to see if he can get back in the team. He's going to have to dislodge the two guys who are there now," said Baxter, in reference to back- up keepers Nhlanhla Khuzwayo and Reyaad Pieterse.

Khuzwayo, 24, has now emerged as the first choice. He has since played in four matches, including the MTN8 final, conceding a single goal.

Pieterse, 22, who deputised last season when Khune was injured, has had one game in the Telkom Knockout.

"The other keepers are doing so well it means that Khune doesn't have to rush it back from injury. There is no pressure from me on the physios, asking them to hasten up the recovery. That can only be a good thing," said Baxter.