For someone who has gone through quite a lot this season at Kaizer Chiefs, Dillan Solomons is handling everything like a stoic.
Two injuries this season have kept him out of the team and it's obviously hard because other players are getting time to prove themselves to head coach Nasreddine Nabi in training and on matchdays.
READ: Nedbank Cup Draw: Soweto Giants Set To Travel
Solomons, though, hardly complains about the situation. Instead, he is focused on making his way back to full fitness so that he can raise his hand for a regular spot in the starting line-up at right back.
After picking up a hamstring injury in his first start of the season against Royal AM in the Betway Premiership in November last year, Solomons is ready to get going again. Before the Royal AM clash, Solomons had made two substitute appearances.
The Royal AM clash was an important one for him because Reeve Frosler was not available for selection, so it was a perfect opportunity to impress the technical team, but he picked up an injury within just 16 minutes of play.
"I am doing well. Obviously, it's been a tricky time for me. I am in full training now and I am feeling good and healthy. It's just a bit of the match fitness that the coaches are worried about, but hopefully soon I will be back on the field," he told media at the Nedbank Cup draw on Monday evening in Randburg, Johannesburg.
"At the start of the season I was out with a shoulder injury and then coming back, it felt really good. And then getting that opportunity against Royal AM in Polokwane. I won't forget it because it was a game to try and put myself out there for the coaches and it didn't happen. The hamstring just went. It was frustrating, but I took it as a challenge and to get back was not easy. But I am ready now. I am strong and healthy and hopefully when I get back I can continue where I left off."
Chiefs have been drawn to play Stellenbosch FC in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals, a club they have already beaten twice this season. Amakhosi have a good record against Stellies over the last few years, beating the Cape Winelands outfit in five of the last six Premiership matches they have played.
Solomons gave insight into why they have been able to get good results against Steve Barker's side over the last three seasons.
READ: Broos Set To Call-Up In-Form Chiefs Star Campbell?
"It's a tricky draw, but it's a very good game of football awaiting the fans. For us, it's just to stay true to our processes and obviously focus on what we need to do and hopefully we can come out of Cape Town with a win.
"I feel that we nullify their strengths. They want to play on transition and if you counter press them, it's difficult for them to play on transition. For us, I think that's going to be our main thing, to stop their transition because they have speedy players. If you can stop that, you can nullify a bit of their strength."
