Kaizer Chiefs vice-captain Inacio Miguel has provided his assessment on the readiness of the club's DStv Diski Challenge skipper Aden McCarthy to step up to the first team.
McCarthy was in action for Bafana Bafana B during the two-legged CHAN qualifier against Egypt earlier this month, with his standout displays eliciting questions over why he is yet to make his senior debut for Chiefs.
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He has, over several seasons, occasionally trained with the first team.
However, unlike the likes of Wandile Duba, Mfundo Vilakazi, and Mduduzi Shabalala, the 21-year-old has not featured for the Soweto giants in the PSL.
Speaking to media at the club's training base earlier this week, Miguel offered his analysis of the left-footed centre-back.
"He trains with us sometimes, not a lot. I don't know him personally, so I will not lie, I am very honest, if I knew him very well, I would talk well about him," Miguel said.
"I saw a couple of training (sessions) we had together, I'm sure he's doing great in Bafana, from what I've seen of him here [in training with the first-team].
"They [the young players] have to do that, it's their job. They have to pressurize me, to pressurize us, to come and steal our jobs and if they do that, it means they are ready and the club is going longer with them because they need them," added the Angolan-Portuguese.
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Amakhosi are currently somewhat thin at the back with a fresh injury to Rushwin Dortley set to keep him out of action for at least a month.
This setback comes just weeks after the club sold another left-footed centre-back, in Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, and head coach Nasreddine Nabi may be tempted to turn to McCarthy for some cover.