CENTURION (South Africa) - Northerns Titans all-rounder Mpho Pedi, the victim of a vicious assault and left dying in a pool of blood more than two weeks ago, has successfully negotiated what medical specialists call the 'tricky corner' in the recovery process.

Although still under sedation in a Bloemfontein private hospital, Metromed, a specialist surgeon today said that the 22-year-old had 'set out on the road to recovery' and his condition had improved to the extent that there was now a more than 60/40 percent chance of survival.

The Northerns Academy pupil had been visiting his sick mother in Rocklands, a fringe suburb of Bloemfontein, when he was attacked and stabbed during a visit to the city.

``We hope to take him off the ventilator during the next few days to help speed his recovery,'' a hospital spokeswoman said.

There is, however, some concern about the seriousness of damage to some of his internal organs as he had severe wounds to the intestines, bowels and liver.

The spokeswoman said it was too soon to say how long it would be before he was considered fit enough to start training again.

``The body has gone through a traumatic experience and it is normal, in such cases, for the mind to set its own recovery time clock,'' the spokeswoman said. ``We should know in a week's time how quickly the recovery is going to be.''

Northerns are at present considering alternate players of colour should Pedi not be fit in time to start the pre-season camp programme now five weeks away.

A man has appeared in the Bloemfontein magistrates court on attempted murder charges. Bail was denied pending further investigation of the charges.