Zimpapers Logo

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE-BORN teenage defender Tivonge Rushesha has returned to the field of play in England after spending nine months on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury.

Rushesha suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during training in December 2020 and has been recovering from surgery since then.

He was back on the team sheet for the first time on Wednesday evening, as an unused substitute, when Swansea lost 0-2 to Brighton and Hove in the third Round of the Carabao Cup.

Rushesha made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup win over Cambridge United last summer. He was promoted to the first-team squad by Steve Cooper following the Covid-19 lockdown last year.

The 19-year-old was born in Zimbabwe but moved to Britain as a youngster and has come through Swansea’s academy.

The defender, who is highly rated at the Liberty Stadium, was tipped to have a breakthrough season but the injury has been a huge setback.

Despite the injury, Swansea still offered him a professional contract at the beginning f the year, which will see him at the club until the end of 2022-2023 campaign.