South African coach Stuart Baxter fears he may be sacked should his team lose to an undermanned Australia in this week's soccer friendly.

Battling difficult travel schedules, the remains of an injury-depleted Australian outfit continued to arrive in Durban ahead of the game Thursday morning, Australian time.

Everton forward Tim Cahill was the latest to be ruled out after suffering an ankle injury in English Premier League action on Sunday.

"He is struggling - our medical staff has been in contact with theirs and he is not good," Australian coach Frank Farina told a teleconference.

The loss of Cahill along with regulars Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Josip Skoko meant Farina would be satisfied with a draw against a strong South African side which lies 20 places above Australia in the FIFA rankings.

"We're not going out to put 11 behind the ball and just defend, we'll definitely try to play," Farina said.

"But considering all the circumstances so far, I'd be happy to get a result."

One man hoping Australia does not get a result is Baxter, who is currently in negotiation for a contract extension.

Baxter had been earmarked to prepare South Africa for hosting the 2010 World Cup, but his worldwide experience of coaching has told him a loss against Australia will place him on thin ice.

"I'm very aware that although my remit is until 2006 and I'll be the one who'll lose out if we don't qualify for the next World Cup, this country is preparing for 2010 and that means so much to them," Baxter told a newspaper in his native Scotland on the weekend.

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