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Cape Town - Stuart Baxter says he has spoken with Katlego Mphela over his
"ambitions for the future" after leaving the striker out of Kaizer
Chiefs' initial CAF Champions League squad.
READ: Baxter shows fans some love.
The Bafana Bafana international has endured a tough time with injury since joining Amakhosi at the beginning of 2014 and has subsequently dropped out of the first-team reckoning.
The latest blow to Mphela's Chiefs career came when he found his name omitted from the squad set for continental battle next year, although Baxter admits there is still time for the forward to prove himself, with him and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune set for some much-needed game time during a friendly against the Iran national team.
When asked about the reasons behind Mphela's Champions League snub, Baxter told The Sowetan: "To be fair, you don't register every player you've got.
"I've given a list that should absolutely be registered, and then we're leaving a few open. All I can say is Katlego has been working hard but we have had some conversations about his ambitions for the future.
"He's training but he's not match fit. He and Itumeleng (Khune) will play in the friendly against Iran.
"Itu will get a game, so if [Bafana coach] Shakes Mashaba is hopeful of him being available for the Africa Cup of Nations [in January], he will at least have one game against the Iranian national team under his belt."
READ: Baxter shows fans some love.
The Bafana Bafana international has endured a tough time with injury since joining Amakhosi at the beginning of 2014 and has subsequently dropped out of the first-team reckoning.
The latest blow to Mphela's Chiefs career came when he found his name omitted from the squad set for continental battle next year, although Baxter admits there is still time for the forward to prove himself, with him and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune set for some much-needed game time during a friendly against the Iran national team.
When asked about the reasons behind Mphela's Champions League snub, Baxter told The Sowetan: "To be fair, you don't register every player you've got.
"I've given a list that should absolutely be registered, and then we're leaving a few open. All I can say is Katlego has been working hard but we have had some conversations about his ambitions for the future.
"He's training but he's not match fit. He and Itumeleng (Khune) will play in the friendly against Iran.
"Itu will get a game, so if [Bafana coach] Shakes Mashaba is hopeful of him being available for the Africa Cup of Nations [in January], he will at least have one game against the Iranian national team under his belt."
