Ahly skipper Hossam Ghaly will miss two crucial Egyptian Premier League games against arch-rivals Zamalek and challengers ENPPI after picking up a knee injury, the club said on Friday.

"Ghaly faces at least three weeks on the sidelines because of a medial collateral ligament injury," Ahly's doctor Khaled Mahmoud said on the club's official website.

"He will immediately begin treatment and will be out for at least three weeks."

The former Tottenham Hotspur man was injured during Ahly's 1-1 league draw with Petrojet on Tuesday.

Although Ghaly's form has notably faded, with pundits and fans alike criticizing him for a series of mistakes including too many mis-placed passes, his presence remains pivotal for an inexperienced Ahly side shorn of veterans and creative players.

Ghaly's injury adds to the Red Devils' problems in a crucial period which could make or break their season as they seek to equal their own record of winning the league nine times in a row.

Ahly will already miss highly-rated left-back Hussein El-Sayed when they meet leaders Zamalek next Thursday after he was banned for four games for an off-ball incident against Petrojet.

Right-back Mohamed Hani, another youngster, is also doubtful, as is goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy whose toddler will undergo heart surgery in England.

Ahly face Talae El-Geish in a rescheduled match on Saturday before meeting Zamalek on 29 January and ENPPI on 3 February.

They are fourth in the table with 29 points, eight behind ENPPI and 11 adrift of Zamalek, who both played two games more.

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