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Baxter praises injury-plagued squad

Cape Town - SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter has praised his injury-hit squad after finishing 2016 at the summit of the Absa Premiership standings.

Matsatsantsa occupy top spot following a 2-1 victory over Polokwane City last Wednesday - the result saw Baxter's men extend their unbeaten run to an impressive 13 games.

And the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor says he is impressed with the fact that his side has managed to do the business without the presence of a number of first-team regulars.

"In terms of being top the biggest compliment I can pay to the players is that we've had such an injury list," Baxter told Sowetan Live.

"The biggest compliment to the players is that if they could pull off a top three place, after what they've gone though, it would be magnificent.

"We've had 17 fit players for two games. We've had Clayton Daniels sitting on the bench with a broken arm so that we weren't embarrassed and could just put 17 players in.

"Once we get everyone fit, I've got a few more options. If I can get Kingston Nkhatha, Bradley Grobler and Jeremy Brockie back to full fitness, then I think we can maybe rotate a bit.

"With the wide players we have now, Aubrey Modiba and Thabo Mnyamane, if I can get Thuso Phala and Dove Wome back too it will be OK.

"We'll be OK when I can get everybody fit in terms of how we approach games, where I can rest this player and play that player," he concluded.

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