Cheeky Chapman may start for Santos

Santos star Erwin Isaacs could not have chosen a worse time to be absent from the Absa Premiership race.

With four matches left, the Cape club are a mere four points adrift in third position and have every right to be termed serious contenders for the coveted trophy.

Isaacs, who was forced to sit out the weekend's 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs, looks a doubtful starter for tonight's crucial encounter with second-placed SuperSport United at Athlone Stadium (kickoff 7.30pm).

Uppermost in United coach Gavin Hunt's mind would be whether the livewire Santos striker will recover in time from an abdominal strain to continue his threatening partnership with Eleazar Rodgers.

That would determine the ploy likely to be adopted by the visitors in the face of the People's Team's well-documented counter-attacking philosophy.

And double trouble it would be for United if they have to come up with a strategy to curb not one, but two tireless runners.

The bonus for Santos is that Isaacs and Rodgers turn even aimless long balls up field into good passes.

And they are no slouches in the finishing business, with Isaacs the chief contributor on 11 strikes to go with Rodgers's seven.

"Look, it's not easy to play against a team that refuse to engage in an expansive manner," Hunt said. "Of course, it is their right to play in a certain manner, like it is ours to combat them in a certain manner, so we will have to wait and see what transpires in the opening minutes.

"Pace is always a valuable asset, and it would be foolish not to plan for all possibilities when you come up against the Santos boys. The thing is, though, that no matter how hard you plot and plan, you cannot guarantee anything because it's all about what happens on the day, how both sets of players respond to the challenges out there."

Santos operations officer Edries Burton said Isaacs would be given time to stake his claim for a place in line-up.

"It's a tricky problem, because the boy is a vital part of our team," said Burton. "We had an extra practice session (yesterday afternoon) for the coach and medical staff to monitor his recovery before making a decision.

"I know that teams worry about facing Eleazar and Erwin, so it is crucial that we have both available for (tonight's) clash."

Young Ryan Chapman looks like the logical option as a strike partner, if coach David Bright opts for a more offensive game plan.

Chapman is as cheeky as they come and poses a huge threat with his power shooting. He certainly deserves more game time on past evidence.

Ajax Cape Town coach Craig Rosslee sits with a similar problem. He has to replace ace marksman Nathan Paulse and diminutive Mkhanyesile Siwahla who, if he drops the attitude, could yet stake a claim for Bafana Bafana selection. The duo are serving a one-match ban for having accumulated three successive yellow cards.

However, unlike his Santos counterpart, Rosslee can call on a host of eager beavers ready to have a full go at the Mamelodi Sundowns back line at the Super Stadium in Atteridgeville tonight.

Rosslee has another tough choice to make in goal, where newcomer Morgan Cathey did enough in his past two outings to keep former Bafana keeper Hans Vonk in the dugout. The Ajax mentor might opt for experience over youthful exuberance as the pressure mounts on his title-chasing charges.

WEDNESDAY'S FIXTURES

Santos v Supersport United (Athlone Stadium), Bloemfontein Celtic v Jomo Cosmos (Seisa Ramabodu Stadium), Moroka Swallows v Free State Stars (Germiston Stadium), Mamelodi Sundowns v Ajax Cape Town (Super Stadium), Orlando Pirates v Platinum Stars (Johannesburg Stadium), Black Leopards v Thanda Royal Zulu (Thohoyandou Stadium), Wits University v AmaZulu (BidVest Stadium), Golden Arrows v Kaizer Chiefs (Chatsworth Stadium).