Zamalek assistant coach Ismail Youssef has heaped praise on striker Ahmed Hossam “Mido” after he returned to the team’s training on Thursday.

The former Ajax, Tottenham and AS Roma man celebrated his 29th birthday in style, appearing in an almost ideal shape after undergoing an intensive program to lose weight.

Mido had been heavily criticized for looking over-weight since returning to his boyhood club in January 2011. He made few appearances this season, given his fitness problems.

“We are very happy with the return of Mido to Zamalek’s training,” Youssef said on the club’s official website.

“His return is a valuable asset to the team in the upcoming period.”

Despite the limited opportunities he had, Mido has managed to score two Egyptian Premier League goals before the competition was stopped in the wake of the Port Said disaster.

He is now in line to feature in Zamalek’s game at home to Tanzania’s Young Africans in the second leg of the African Champions League on the third of March.

Zamalek needed a second-half goal from Amr Zaki to salvage a 1-1 draw with Young Africans in the first leg.

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