Photo: Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Orlando City SC, in coordination with Major League Soccer (MLS) affiliate Sporting Kansas City, announced Thursday that Forward C.J. Sapong will be recalled from the Lions. Orlando also announced that Midfielder Jean Alexandre will return from National Team duty and will be available for selection Saturday night.

“Obviously C.J. (Sapong) going back is a disappointment but having Jean on the squad is a positive,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “Within a couple of weeks we’ve lost players and have had a tough stretch. It has been tough on the group. We just have to be physically and mentally ready for the upcoming games.”

Sapong and Defender Kevin Ellis were originally sent on loan last week from Sporting, playing in Orlando’s 2-1 win over the Charleston battery. The 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year appeared in three games for the Lions while on loan, scoring one goal in 270 minutes played.

Outside of Sapong, Orlando City Midfielder Jean Alexandre will be available for selection for the Lions on Saturday in the club’s home match against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Alexandre was on National Team duty with Haiti in CONCACAF Gold Cup play over the past three weeks, being named team captain for his efforts.

The Lions return home for a match this Saturday against fifth-place Harrisburg City Islanders (10-7-1, 31 points). Orlando recently completed a road swing, drawing both the Dayton Dutch Lions Sunday night and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Wednesday.