Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic has moved a step closer in his recovery from a serious knee injury after returning to the club's Naturena training base.
Nurkovic underwent surgery at the end of September to repair the meniscus in his right knee, an injury that he initially picked up on June 26 in the CAF Champions League semi-final second leg tie against Wydad Casablanca.
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He held on to play 90 minutes in that match and then again in the final despite the nagging effects.
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The Serbian still pushed on in the new season despite the irritation starting Chiefs' first five games before giving in ahead of the game against Marumo Gallants.
After stopping using crutches he then travelled back home to Serbia last month due to pressing family reasons.
This website can now confirm that the 29-year-old is back in the country to continue with his rehabilitation with further doctor appointments in the coming weeks.
Nurkovic – who is in the last year of his contract (plus an option of a further year) – is only likely to return to action late next month if not in the New Year.
Prior to going under the knife, Nurkovic had experienced a slow start to the season without a goal in all the five matches that he had played.
Last season he also had a difficult start due to both injury and contractual matters forcing him to miss the first 14 games before ultimately scoring six in 32 appearances.
He had a fantastic first season scoring 14, which prompted interest from the Middle East.
With Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro both forced out by injuries, it means Chiefs have two of their traditional number 9s out leaving them rather thin in attack.
Nurkovic's time at Chiefs has lifted his profile back home, where he never played football, with mainstream football outlets taking notice of him following his arrival from Slovakia second-tier league club Kormano FC.