Rangers to miss key men against Wanderers

Manning Rangers look set to take another depleted squad into Thursday's night derby against African Wanderers, but there is some consolation in the fact that the game has had to be moved from King's Park Soccer Stadium to Chatsworth Stadium.

Wanderers are being forced to forfeit home-ground advantage for the fixture as the ground is not available this week. Further news from the Abaqulusi camp is that recently-signed midfielder Ben William has been sent packing after failing to make an impression in the newly-promoted club's three matches to date.

All those games ended in defeat, twice against Moroka Swallows in the Rothmans Cup preliminary round and then against Jomo Cosmos in the opening round of the Castle Premiership at the weekend.

"We thought Ben's experience would be a big factor for us in the midfield this season, but we were obviously wrong. He failed to impress, forcing us to cancel the deal with Bush Bucks," said Wanderers managing director Vusi Mkhize.

Rangers, who went into last Friday's ultimately victorious season-opener against Hellenic at King's Park Soccer Stadium without five key players, are still waiting for the work permits of their four foreigners - Mano Mano, Antonio Trigo, Liswa Nduti and Gilbert Mushangazhike - while sweeper Robbie Milne and striker Keryn Jordan are in a race against time to be fit for the game.

Gordon Igesund was forced to use Milne and Jordan, who had been nursing slight injuries, last Friday because of the problem with the foreigners and defender Bradley Muir's unavailability, which only aggravated the situation.

"We are not in a healthy situation at all," said the coach last night. "Last week we had to do without five key players, and this week we will be without six if Robbie and Keryn have to sit out. It is very frustrating, especially the work permit situation. If we drop points in early season, it could count heavily against us at the end when clubs are scrambling for the top positions on the log."

Muir is likely to be available for Thursday's game, which kick-starts a hectic run of almost a game a day involving Durban sides up to Monday.