Willem Alberts has returned to training with the Sharks and will be available for selection against the Lions at Ellis Park this Saturday.

Alberts has only featured once this season for the Durban-based side, lasting just 45 minutes of the match against the Stormers before succumbing to injury.

However, the Sharks are confident his injury woes are now behind him and his inclusion for the weekend's match will be a massive boost for a side that's already coping with the losses of Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Steyn and Jean Deysel through suspension.

The Sharks will also be without Pat Lambie, who has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a neck injury sustained in the defeat to the Crusaders.

'It’s a huge blow to lose a player of Pat’s calibre,' said Sharks director of rugby, Gary Gold. 'He’s a well respected member of the team, although Fred [Zeilinga] provides quality cover and he looked really good when he came on for Pat in the match.'

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