Zamalek playmaker Ayman Hefny will be sidelined for three weeks due to a groin muscle tear he sustained in the team's match with Ahly on 29 December.

"Hefny's injury is new. He was fully recovered from a strain in the same muscle but he picked up a new one," Zamalek doctor Mostafa El-Monairy told the club's official website on Thursday.

Hefny, 31, who started his career with Maqassa, has starred with Zamalek since 2004. He is one of Coach Mohamed Helmi's key players.

With two games in hand, Zamalek are third in the Egyptian Premier League table with 34 points, 11 behind Ahly who lead the table.

Egyptian competitions are currently on hold to allow players to fulfil their national duty representing the country in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Pharaohs return to their favourite competition for the first time in six years since winning three successive titles in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

The tournament kicks-off on 14 January and runs through 5 February in Gabon.

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