Zamalek were held to a 0-0 draw by Aswan in their previous Egyptian Premier League game (Photo: the club's official Facebook page)
The future of Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira remains under scrutiny as Zamalek will be looking to make up for a disappointing 0-0 draw at Aswan when they face El-Entag El-Harby at Cairo's Petrosport Stadium on Saturday.
Ferreira has been fiercely criticised by Zamalek chairman Mortada Mansour when the club lost 3-2 to arch rivals Ahly in the Egyptian Super Cup but he was eventually given a vote of confidence after being lauded by the team's fans, who credited him with helping the team win the domestic double for the first time since 1988 last season.
Zamalek opened their league campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over Wadi Degla but a goalless draw against newly-promoted Aswan raised fresh doubts over the future of Ferreira, with Mansour saying he will re-asses the coach following the first few games of the season.
El-Entag are seeking to get the best out of the fading stars they sign, including forward Gedo who is best known for scoring five goals to help Egypt win the African Cup of Nations in 2010.
However, they will be without ex-Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan due to injury. The former Borussia Dortmund man put in a fine display in his team's previous game against Ismaily although they lost 2-0.
Zamalek will continue to do without their central defensive pairing, with Ali Gabr sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained in the Super Cup defeat by Ahly, and Mohammed Koffi still nursing a hamstring tear.
Zamalek right-back Hazem Emam was due to return after ending a two-match suspension, but the skipper's comeback will be delayed due to injury.
Likewise, Ahmed Tawfik was set to return after serving a one-match ban against newcomers Aswan, where Zamalek were held to a disappointing scoreless draw, but was excluded through a groin injury.
Therefore, the right-back slot is likely to be filled by Omar Gaber, who was fielded in that position against Aswan, where star forward Ayman Hefni occupied his midfield slot.
Going forward, on-loan Basel wide man Ahmed Hamoudi continues to miss out due to a nagging groin complaint that kept him out of the opening two league games.
Forward Mohamed Salem, who opened his Zamalek account in the opening 2-0 win over Wadi Degla, has been also left out due to injury after taking part against Degla and Aswan as a second-half substitute.
But striker Ahmed Hassan Mekki has returned to the squad to become another option, alongside Bassem Morsi, in the center-forward position.
Zamalek will be looking to overcome Entag, managed by former Egypt manager Shawki Gharib, after dropping two points at Aswan, as the Cairo side bid to retain their league title.
On the other side, Entag - who will be hoping ex-Ahly forward Mohamed Nagi 'Gedo' will be fit in time against Zamalek for his debut – will eye at least a draw after losing their first two league games.
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