Ahly's new signing midfielder Mohamed Mahmoud is facing months on the sidelines after medical tests confirmed he had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to his knee, the club announced Wednesday.

"Mahmoud picked up a heavy knee injury in Tuesday's league match against Smouha," Ahly's football director was quoted as saying by the club's official website.

"Scans revealed that he torn his knee's anterior cruciate ligament and also the outer cartilage.

"He is set to arrange the date of his surgery with the medical staff in the coming few hours," he added without saying how long would the player be out of action.

Mahmoud made his debut with Ahly as a substitute in Friday's league loss to Pyramids FC, before playing from the start in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Smouha. He was stretched off after 57 due to his knee injury. 

On 1 December, the Cairo giants announced the signing of the 20-year-old Mahmoud amid their bid to strengthen an underachieving squad this winter as they seek to win the league title for the fourth straight season.

Mahmoud joined the Reds from rivals Wadi Degla on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Mahmoud is a 20-year-old midfielder who rose to prominence this season with some fine displays in the heart of Degla's midfield; netting four times in 17 league appearances since the season start.

The player's outstanding performances earned him a call-up to Egypt's squad under Mexican coach Javier Aguirre.

He made his international debut in Egypt's 2-0 victory over eSwatini in the African Nations Cup qualifiers in October and also took part in the late 3-2 win over Tunisia last month, both as a substitute.

Ahly are currently seventh on the Egyptian league table with 23 points from 11 games, 12 points adrift of leaders Zamalek, who have played three more games.

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