Zamalek will be boosted by the return of striker Mostafa Mohamed and midfield maestro Ferjani Sassi when they take on third-placed Gouna on Tuesday at Petrosport Stadium with the aim of going clear to the top.

Zamalek are second on the table with 16 points, just one point behind leaders Ahly, who were held by the debutant National Bank of Egypt (NBE) Club to a scoreless draw on Sunday.

Mohamed and Sassi have been absent from games recently due to problems related to contract renewals, but they have resumed full training recently and are ready for games.

Gouna, under young coach Reda Shehata, have had a promising start of their campaign, as they are third now with 15 points and could go to the top if they triumph against the White Knights.

Coach Jaime Pacheco will miss key defender Mahmoud Alaa due to an automatic ban.

Zamalek's squad:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed Abo Gabal, Mohamed Awaad.

Defenders: Mohamed Abdel Ghani, Mahmoud “El-Wensh” Hamdi, Abdallah Gomaa, Ahmed Fatouh, Hazem Emam, Hamza Methlouthi, Hossam Abdel Meguid.

Midfielders: Ferjani Sassi, Tarek Hamed, Youssef “Obama” Ibrahim, Eslam Gaber, Emam Ashour, Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed, Mohamed Ounajem, Achraf Bencharki, Hussein Faisal, Mahmoud “Shikabala” Abdel-Razik.

Strikers: Mostafa Mohamed, Osama Faisal.

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