Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp is satisfied with the depth and quality within the squad ahead of their congested fixture schedule in the upcoming months.

The Glamour Boys managed to humble Mamelodi Sundowns after claiming a 4-2 victory over their Absa Premiership rivals in the Shell Helix Ultra Cup on Saturday.

Amakhosi were without a few key players, including George Maluleka, Reeve Frosler, Itumeleng Khune and Samir Nurkovic.

Middendorp handed Leonardo Castro a starting berth against his former club, and the Colombian striker made the most of his opportunity after scoring a first-half hat-trick.

‘There are players who didn’t get enough chance to play in the last eight games [such as Castro], but it [Castro’s performance against Sundowns] doesn’t mean all of a sudden a player like Samir Nurkovic is a bad player or Reeve Frosler is a bad player or George Maluleka or Itu Khune,’ Middendorp told the media.

‘I don’t think that’s how we should look at it. We know that yellow cards are coming and we’ve seen injuries flying, and then you have to be prepared. We need these players. We have seen some of the players in but I know the value of other players.

‘I am very happy about him [Castro] showing up and we have another week … playing next Saturday and let’s see.’

Middendorp revealed that several of his regular players have begun full training ahead of their Telkom Knockout clash with Cape Town City this weekend.

‘Players are starting full training and I personally enjoyed to have these number of players with certain qualities, and not only having the first 11, 12 or 13. I think it developed itself out,’ he added.