Egyptian champions Ahly will have to do without forward Emad ‎Meteb in Saturday’s day-nine match of the Egyptian Premier ‎League against Ghazl El-Mahalla.‎

‎“Meteb needs a rest after sustaining a back-leg muscle stain due ‎to his back-to-back participation in the Maqassa and Ismaily ‎matches,” Reds doctor Khaled Mahmoud told Ahram Online.‎

The 28-year-old hitman will undergo a rehabilitation program to ‎prepare for a 5 January clash with El-Giesh before the team fly ‎to Qatar for a friendly match with Bundesliga giants Bayern ‎Munich.‎

Fathy still doubtful

Ahmed Fathy (Photo: Bassam El-Zoghbi)

The titleholders have expressed concern about their backline ‎after right-winger Ahmed Fathy was injured in Tuesday’s 1-0 win ‎against Ismaily.‎

‎“The medical staff will decide on Friday whether Fathy will play ‎Mahalla or not,” said Mahmoud.‎

Portuguese manager Manuel Jose, meanwhile, faces a defence ‎crisis as Wael Gomaa and Sayed Moawad were both ruled out ‎for bookings, while Mohamed Naguib and Ramy Rabeia both ‎sustained injuries.‎

Ahly are currently the runners-up in the table with 20 points, ‎trailing leaders Haras El-Hodoud by five points.‎

‎(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports ‎on Twitter: @AO_Sports).‎