Zamalek's attacking midfielder Youssef Ibrahim "Obama" has been ruled out from the Champions League quarterfinal clash against Tunisia's Esperance on Friday due to knee injury. French coach Patrice Carteron dropped out the 24-year-old forward from his 18-man squad for the game, Carteron said on Thursday, preferring to avoid the risk. Obama, who scored the opener in Zamalek's game against Esperance two weeks ago in the African Super Cup final, which ended by the Whites' victory 3-1, is supposed to be ready for the away game at Stade Olympique de Rades on 6 March. Obama has been a key figure for Zamalek this season, scoring two goals and providing eight assists in 22 games so far. Carteron also decided to drop striker Omar El-Said and winger Mostafa Fathi who have been performing below par recently. Nonetheless, Zamalek welcomes back right back Hazem Emam who has recovered from a minor injury he sustained recently. Here is full squad: Goalkeepers: Mohamed Abo Gabal, Mahmoud Abdel Rehim 'Genesh'. Defenders: Mahmoud Alaa, Mahmoud Hamdy 'El-Wensh', Mohamed Abdel Salam, Hazem Emam, Abdallah Gomaa, Mohamed Abdel Shafy. Midfielders: Tarek Hamed, Ferjani Sassi, Ahmed Sayed 'Zizo', Mohamed Antar, Mohamed Ounajem, Mahmoud Abdel Razek 'Shikabala', Achraf Bencharki. Strikers: Mostafa Mohamed, Kabongo Kasongo. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)