With Tinashe Nengomasha rested in order to avoid a potential suspension, Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral named creative midfielders Thabo Mooki and Gerald Sibeko - who are particularly well-known for their ball-winning abilities - in the heart of the 'Amakhosi' midfield.

Ertugral's selections sparked immediate discussions about the absence of Derrick Spencer from the Chiefs team-sheet; as it had been assumed that he would be the obvious choice to start in the place of Nengomasha, but yet he did not even make the bench.

According to the official Chiefs website, however, the Durban-born anchorman is back and ready to take to the field in the Telkom Knockout Final on Saturday, "should he be given a run".

Spencer, in turn, has not played any matches this season, but he has declared himself 100 per cent ready to do a job come Saturday.

"I have been judging my readiness for the game based on my endurance in training, at this moment using it as a measuring tool for myself," explained Spencer on kaizerchiefs.com, "[And] I will say that I am fit enough and ready to slot easily into a game situation.

"It has been a challenging time for me trying to find a gap in the team, but I have worked extremely hard during the week and I hope that I get rewarded for it.

"[But] really it us up to the coach at the end of the day, but I do think that I have put my case forward for a starting berth."

He added: "When you are a player in a competitive environment like Chiefs you have got to be willing to fight for a place in the team. Personally, I believe that my time will come soon enough - I just need to continue knocking on the door."

Despite conflicting reports over his lack of game time this season, the Chiefs man is enjoying life under his boss Ertugral.

"I get along very well with the coach and I enjoy his open door policy which has meant that I can go up and talk to him at any time.

"I have spoken to him about my role within the team and we have come to a number of conclusions together and he has reassured me that I am in his plans, and he has spelt them out to me, so I will continue working my way towards getting back into the starting eleven," the determined Spencer concluded.