ERNST Middendorp used some creative licence in midweek to bolster his injury-hit Bloemfontein Celtic side, thrusting players into unusual positions and almost pulling off a good result away at Ajax Cape Town.

With stalwarts John Arwuah and Limbikani Mzava out injured, Middendorp took the unusual step of shifting wing-back Wandisile Letlabika to a defensive midfield role and putting Keegan Buchanan, who usually plays as an attacking midfielder, into the right-back slot.

It was a call that raised eyebrows before the match at the Cape Town Stadium, but by the end looked something of a master stroke from the German tactician.

"Wandisile is naturally a wing-back, we like to play him in front of the full-back. He played an outstanding role in this position in the matches we won against [Orlando] Pirates and [Lamontville Golden] Arrows, but John Arwuah got injured and then you have to think who can take over [in central midfield]. We don't have too many options," Middendorp explained after losing Wednesday's Premier Soccer League game to a late Ajax goal.

"We need to be prepared for situations when we have injuries. But my basic credo, and I'm not alone in this, is that players must be able to play in at least two different positions."

Middendorp took his Celtic side straight to Johannesburg yesterday for their match tomorrow against BidVest Wits.

"That is another tough one for us," he added.