The future call-ups for Bafana Bafana forward Lyle Foster could be under more scrutiny by head coach Hugo Broos following new developments at Burnley.
Foster has not featured for Bafana since he returned from his mental health challenges, preferring to play for the Clarets and not be available for the national team.
Broos has previously said that he was surprised to see the former Orlando Pirates striker play for Burnley but not be available for Bafana and the 23-year-old was not considered for South Africa's FIFA Series of international friendlies against Andorra and Algeria after he excused himself for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
READ | How SAFA should handle Lyle Foster issue
With the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in two months' time, the Belgian has conceded that he is willing to give Foster another chance with the national team.
However, there is a new twist, as Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has been accused of playing the 23-year-old out of position.
The Clarets supporters have questioned Kompany's decision to play Foster in a seemingly defensive position out on the right wing in recent matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton, with the number nine spot occupied by January signing David Fofana, on loan from Chelsea and the other central role given to Wilson Odobert.
The Manchester City legend defended his decision to play Foster in a more withdrawn role, as Burnley fans questioned why a more natural player for that position Manuel Benson is not used instead.
"Our players have always been flexible, always,” Kompany told Burnley Express newspaper.
"Lyle has already done it 15 or 20 times since he’s been with us, every player has done it, so I can’t control the perception. It’s an error to see it that way, but I don’t control that.
"It’s a perception from the outside, but if you look at his position in possession, he played exactly the same position as he’s always played. But it’s a perception thing," he said.
"It’s 100 per cent part of something we’ve always done with our players, they’ve always had to be flexible to be able to be in different roles," Kompany added.
Foster is yet to score this calendar year, as Burnley are deep in the relegation battle.
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