Zamalek received a blow ahead of next week's Cairo derby clash against Ahly after midfielder Tarek Hamed and defender Mahmoud Alaa tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday.

The key duo are unlikely to recover from the highly-contagious virus in time to take part in the derby, which will be held at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium on Monday.

Hamed's combative displays and never-say-die attitude have made him a fan darling at the club he joined in 2014 while Alaa is an influential regular starter in the heart of Zamalek's defence.   

Ahly are also likely to miss key players in playmaker Magdi Afsha, the scorer of a memorable goal which gave them a dramatic 2-1 victory over Zamalek in the African Champions League last month, and central midfielder Amr El-Sulaya after they were infected. 

Defender Rami Rabia has also tested positive but his absence will not leave any voids, given that he had fallen down the pecking order after being hit by a string of injuries. 

Zamalek are sixth in the league table with four points after they opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Arab Contractors before being held to a 1-1 draw by Pyramids FC.

Defending champions Ahly are on top with maximum six points following wins over Maqassa and Ghazl El-Mahalla.

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