Ahly manager Hossam El-Badry may have to do without attacker El-Sayed Hamdy in the match against Kenyan side Tusker on Saturday, part of the round of 32 of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.

"Hamdy is suffering from 'flu at the team's camp in Kenya," read a statement published on the club's official website.

"He trained individually Thursday under the supervision of Ahly physician Ehab Ali, in an attempt to rehabilitate him."

The Cairo giants are on a tough mission to defend their African title due to a number of injured players including Sayed Moawad, Walid Soliman and Hossam Ghaly, or for loaned players like Bani Yas's Mohamed Abou-Treika and Hull City duo Ahmed Fathi and Mohamed 'Gedo' Nagi.

The absence of key players obviously influenced the Egyptian champions in their domestic league race as they lost twice, 0-1 to Smouha and 0-3 to Haras El-Hodoud, gaining 12 points from six matches.

Ahly's bitter rivals Zamalek are playing Friday against DR Congo's AS Vita Club in the same round in Borg El-Arab stadium in Alexandria behind closed doors, while their fans protest demanding attendance.

 (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)