Injuries force C’down to rotate squad

Group D leaders Camperdown High will look to continue their winning form in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup when they host Tivoli High at the Alpha Boys School today. Match time is at 2 p.m.

The Christopher Bender-coached side are on 21 points and have opened an eightpoint lead in the group in front of secondplace Mona High, who are on 13 points. Camperdown edged Hydel High 1-0 on Monday, which gave them their seventh straight win of the season.

Bender says he will have to make changes to the roster due to fatigue and injuries to key players but is confident that his team is strong enough to continue their good form.

“We are forced to rotate the team because we are having some injuries to four or five players,” he told STAR Sports. “We want to rest some players but the spine of the team will still be there and I still expect a good show.”

Leading goalscorers Shaquiel Bradford and Tivelle Edwards are among the Camperdown players nursing injuries in addition to captain Giovanni Laing.

Bender says his team has gone through a lot of mental preparation lately due to the quick turnaround in games and little time for rest and recovery. He emphasised that they will not fall into complancency as they continue in the group phase.

“They understand my position in terms of complacency. We try to get rid of that from early,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jamaica College host Greater Portmore High in their Group E encounter at their Old Hope Road ground. The Dark Blues lead the table on 19 points, two in front of second-place Wolmer’s Boys.