Thembinkosi Lorch

Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana star Thembinkosi Lorch has an excellent – and expensive – sense of style. Photo: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates issue detailed injury update on Thembinkosi Lorch

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has issued a detailed injury update on star player Thembinkosi Lorch.

Thembinkosi Lorch

Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana star Thembinkosi Lorch has an excellent – and expensive – sense of style. Photo: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has issued a detailed injury update on star player Thembinkosi Lorch as the year enters its final month.

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Lorch has been out for months with a shoulder injury, and Pirates fans have eagerly been waiting for his return to action.

In an interview with The Ultimate Sport Show on Metro FM, Ncikazi confirmed Lorch’s return to training.

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However, Lorch hasn’t been involved contact training as the medical and technical teams continue to monitor his progress.

“I’m happy that Lorch has started training with the team but we’re still cautious because he has some processes he must go through,” he said.

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Ncikazi went on to explain Lorch’s injury in detail, saying he also went through the same injury during his playing days.

To help Lorch recover quickly and avoid contact, Ncikazi said they have had to play him as a neutral in their training sessions.

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“Lorch… he is back. He had a shoulder injury. You know there is these shoulders that come out and go back,” explained Ncikazi.

“I had the same injury in my days, sometimes it heals on it’s own but based on the recommendation of our medical team, it was important that he does the surgery so that it doesn’t happen again,” continued Ncikazi.

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“So, one, we are avoiding contact with him, especially now. He’s playing but we make him a neutral so that he avoids contact as much as possible.

“It looks promising and it looks positive and I’m hoping and wishing that he should be back soon,” added Ncikazi.

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WHEN SHOULD PIRATES FANS EXPECT LORCH?

“I wish he is back tomorrow but we have to wait for medical advises. He has started training, partially, he’s not going full contact,” Ncikazi further explained.

“And I’m hopeful that before the end of December, we’d love to see him playing to the best of his ability,” he concluded.

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