Ahly ended their recent run of poor results when two late goals gave them a 2-0 win over Gouna on Sunday as they remained in touch with Zamalek.

However, their injury problems were compounded, with midfielder Amr El-Sulaya ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a hamstring injury.

Striker Mohamed Sherif and winger Hussein El-Shahat are also out for the season while attacking midfielders Taher Mohamed Taher and South African Percy Tau are still nursing injuries. 

Winger Salah Mohsen and international defender Mohamed Abdel-Moneim will miss the game after sustaining injuries against Gouna.

"Three of my players are injured after the game. Unfortunately, we expect more injuries in the team due to the overwhelmed schedule," Ahly coach Ricardo Soares said after the game.

"The players are tired but they give everything on the pitch to win matches. This team plays every match with a winning mentality. We are a big club and we always play for winning."

Soares would welcome back Mali midfielder Aliou Dieng after serving a one-match ban.

Ahly are third in the league table with 51 points, five behind second-placed Pyramids FC and nine adrift of leaders Zamalek, with the latter duo having played two games more.

The Red Devils still have 10 matches remaining, while Zamalek and Pyramids only have eight.

Ahly have been largely inconsistent since South African coach Pitso Mosimane abruptly departed last month, but Soares is adamant his side can still wrestle the title back from defending champions Zamalek.

"We will keep fighting for the title despite all the difficult circumstances. We have a game against Maqassa … and we have to be ready to win it."

Maqassa are unlikely to cause troubles for Ahly as they virtually lost hopes to retain their top-flight status. They lie at the bottom with 15 points, 11 adrift of safety.

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