CONGOLESE striker Blaise Lelo Mbele could yet feature for Selangor on the opening day of the Super League against Malaysia Cup champions Negri Sembilan on Jan 10.
The 24-year-old returned to training with Selangor on Wednesday after recovering from a ruptured thigh muscle.
Selangor FA secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said Mbele was working hard in training to get back his fitness.
"Mbele is responding well but we will continue to monitor him in training before making a decision whether we should send him out to play in competitive matches," said Hamidin yesterday.
Mbele is expected to make his first appearance for Selangor in a friendly against Pahang tomorrow.
"Mbele should be ready for this match but if he is not ready, we will test him against Pos Malaysia on Jan 3," said Hamidin.
Mbele, a member of the Congolese 2006 African Nations Cup team, has played for eight clubs before signing for Selangor on a two-year contract.
He was a free agent after Kuwaiti club All Naser, who hired him in July, terminated his contract after he injured his thigh muscle.
Hamidin was confident Mbele would be the top marksman in the Super League.
"Mbele wants to get his football career back on track with Selangor. We are expecting him to make an impact," he added.
Mbele, however, has not received his International Transfer Certificate.
New signings Famirul Ashraf Sayuti and Wan Mohd Hoesne Wan Hussian along with Amri Yahyah and R. Surendren are Selangor's other strikers this season.