Baxter: Mathebula must work harder

Cape Town - SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter has urged David Mathebula to up his level of fitness or continue to be a bench-warmer.

The midfielder has only made a handful of appearances this season and has failed to convince Baxter that he deserves to play more.

Having joined the Pretoria club in January, Baxter will overhaul the squad in the off-season and Mathebula needs to work harder to avoid being offloaded.

"I speak to David a lot. David is one of the most gifted players we have in terms of passing and retaining possession but David has not been in 100% condition that you can give him a starting role," Baxter told KickOff.

"David between now and the end of the season I hope he will work hard and play hard. He indicated to us that he is prepared to do hard work through to the winter that will see him playing him a more prominent role next season.

"I have great respect for David but don't think he has been in the condition that could give his best."