Hunt confirms blow ahead of Tshwane derby

SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt has explained his decision to leave out goalkeeper Ricardo Goss in the goalless draw against Orlando Pirates on Sunday night even though he was back from suspension. 

Goss was red carded on debut but surprisingly didn™t make the matchday squad at the weekend despite his availability, with Hunt saying he already has one eye on the MTN8 quarterfinal clash against Mamelodi Sundowns,

The former Bidvest Wits shot-stopper, along with midfielder Grant Magerman and striker Thabang Sibanyoni are all on loan from the Brazilians and, due to terms of the agreement between the two sides, are ineligible to play against their parent club.

"Obviously we had a goalkeeping problem, now we can't play the goalkeeper [Goss] next week, so I need to play... I can't play the other one now and drop him for the next two games against Sundowns," Hunt told reporters.

"And I can't play another three of those players out there against Sundowns, so there's another problem. Any other problems? You get where I'm going? We have a small squad of 23-24, so it's a problem."

Hunt concedes that the club does still need to beef up before the transfer window closes on 22 September, with ex-Pirates utility player Wayde Jooste one of those currently being assessed. 

"Ja, we are short. To get a player in now is very difficult, but we have to. We need maybe another body or two, just to help us because it's going to be [tough], especially when you're playing like this - three games, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday [sic]," he added.

"I don't believe in a big squad but you also need players that you'll find you need a little bit of versatility, we've got a few of those players but that also takes time on the training ground."

On Jooste, he said: "It's not the time or the place but we are looking and we will look [to try and get players]."

By Mazola Molefe