NGEZI PLATINUM Stars key defender Patrson Jaure has recovered from a muscle injury and will be available for their mid-week top-of-the-table clash with Black Rhinos on Thursday at Morris Depot.

Jaure pulled a muscle in their 2-3 loss to Dynamos at the National Sports Stadium last month forcing him to miss four Premier League matches.

The former Dynamos and Pretoria University player was missing in action against Bantu Rovers, Chicken Inn, FC Platinum and Triangle but he has resumed full training ahead of the crucial match against Chauya Chipembere.

Ngezi have struggled defensively of late and Jaure’s return is sure to be a boost to Tonderai Ndiraya whose side lost 1-0 in their last Premiership outing against Triangle in Chiredzi.

Jaure has vowed to come back stronger than ever.

He said: “Before the injury, I was enjoying my time playing. I was feeling positive, feeling strong and flying, in my opinion, until I got injured.

“I am happy to be back in training and looking forward to pulling my position back on again after a month on the sidelines.

“The injury has held me back a bit but I guess you have these in life. I never look back, always look forward. I am just so positive to be honest, I have surprised myself actually how positive I was during my rehabilitation. I am just raring to go.

“I know for a fact I am just so determined to get back to where I was, I know I will be better than I was. I am raring to go for when I get the opportunity in our next match against Black Rhinos,” he said.

However, despite Ngezi's blip in form, they will be hoping to collect maximum points when they travel to Harare needing an outright win to return to the apex log standings.

The reverse fixture ended 1-0 in favour of Ngezi Platinum at Baobab in their season opener.          

There is very little to separate the two top teams at the moment with the sides very closely matched.

The two sides have 31 points each but Black Rhinos are sitting on top of the log standings due to a superior goal difference.

A win for Stanford Mutizwa’s side would see them move three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand against CAPS United, while visitors Ngezi Platinum can overtake with three points.

Even so, with home advantage, Black Rhinos should be too strong.

Midfielder, Liberty Chakoroma, who has been on national duty since last month is also available for selection against Black Rhinos.

Defender, Edgar Tapera is also training after a long injury layoff.