Cape Town - Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy believes that Siphelele Mthembu can replace Kermit Erasmus should he not last the distance against Highlands Park on Friday night.

City are set to take on the Lions of the North in a Nedbank Cup last-16 tie at Cape Town Stadium.

Erasmus signed for City in December following a failed spell in Europe where he struggled for game-time.

As such, his match conditioning is not yet optimal and he has been struggling to last a full 90 minutes.

So far in 2019 the 28-year-old has started two matches and come on in two other games as well.

McCarthy told reporters: "Having Shaka (Mthembu) back...(he's) been able to train yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday), adding to the numbers and just beefing our squad up even a little bit more now.

"We don't have to worry that Kermit won't be able to maybe go and last 90 minutes. We've got a suitable replacement for Kermit in the likes of Shaka coming back from injury."

Mthembu has been out with a knock he picked up against Kaizer Chiefs on 30 January, missing the recent defeat to AmaZulu.

In that match Erasmus saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha as they lost 1-0.

Kick-off is from 20:00.