Stuart Baxter has spoken about easing a returning Kaizer Chiefs player back into the swing of things following nearly five months on the sidelines.
Stuart Baxter has spoken about easing a returning Kaizer Chiefs player back into the swing of things following nearly five months on the sidelines.
Leonardo Castro finally made a cameo appearance on Sunday in the club’s 1-0 win over Maritzburg United after a glute muscle tear that had forced him to rehabilitate in his native country of Colombia.
“I was missing my teammates and being on the field, it was a tough time because the worst part of the injury was the recovery,” the striker is quoted on the Chiefs website.
“I kept my patience and needed to be mentally strong in order to get back into the team as soon as possible. Now, I’ve managed to get back and I want to continue to work hard and improve my game every day.”
For Castro, it’s a good thing that games are coming in thick and fast before the Christmas recess, and Baxter told the media after the Maritzburg match that he will try not to overdo it with the player by giving him at least 10 minutes in the upcoming games.
“It is difficult because the season is on already and for me, there was no time to do a pre-season or friendly games or get into the rhythm. It was quite difficult, but I am going to work hard to help my team,” said Castro.
“We have a strong squad. Almost all the players are available for selection, which is a good point for us. With these games coming in the week and on the weekend we are going to need everybody.”
Amakhosi host Benni McCarthy’s AmaZulu late on Wednesday afternoon, and Castro is expected to again feature in the latter part of that DStv Premiership fixture.
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