Venezuelan winger Juan Carlos Ortíz is inching closer to making his long-awaited return to action for Stellenbosch F.C.

• Ortíz suffered a torn ACL during the Cape Derby win over Cape Town City on the final day of last season

• The 29-year-old is yet to make an appearance this season

• He could make his return to action for Stellies in the “middle of March” depending on his recovery

Stellies Head Coach Steve Barker could soon call upon the services of Juan Carlos Ortíz after revealing that the Venezuelan has been making major strides towards returning to the pitch following a lengthy injury lay-off.

The 29-year-old suffered a ruptured ACL to his left knee during last season’s 1-0 Cape Derby win over Cape Town City at the Danie Craven Stadium and is yet to feature for the Maroons this season after undergoing surgery and a subsequent period of intensive rehabilitation.

“Juan Ortíz, our Venezuelan, is back in training and he’s about three to four weeks away from perhaps playing in training matches for us,” Barker revealed.

“We are hoping that by, sort of the middle of March, he will be in contention to play in PSL matches, so he is probably about four or five weeks away from that. That is something we are looking forward to.”

Ortíz joined Stellenbosch from Venezuelan side Monagas Sport Club in January last year and scored twice in 12 appearances across all competitions during his maiden campaign with the club, including important goals in draws against AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United.