katlego Mphela © Backpagepix

That is the view of the player’s agent, Glyn Binkin, who says ‘Killer’ is progressing well in his rehabilitation from a knee injury, but is still some way off full match fitness.

Mphela underwent surgery on his troublesome knee in June, trying to fix a long-standing problem that has dogged him throughout the second half of last season.

The Bafana Bafana star is certainly out of his country’s friendly international in Brazil on September 7 and Binkin says that with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations looming in January, caution is required.

Mphela has been South Africa's leading forward over the last three years and has an impressive 23 goals in 47 games for his country.

“I believe everybody is on the same page in that we want to see Katlego back as soon as possible, but it is also important that he be given the time he needs to heal properly,” Binkin told SuperSport.com.

“The surgery went well and his recovery is going fine, but rushing him back into service now would only possibly create further problems down the line. The goal, I believe, should be to get him ready for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

“That means he probably sits out September and maybe even October, but he will come back a fully healed player and firing again.”

Sundowns are certainly not short of striking talent in Mphela’s absence, with Edward Manqele, Eleazar Rodgers, Nyasha Mushekwi, Anthony Laffor, Emmanuel Baffour and Richard Henyekane all able to play up front.