African champions Ahli are aiming to pick up where they left off on the local stage, when they take on Police Union in a rescheduled league match on Wednesday at Osman Ahmed Osman stadium. The Red Devils are set to divert more attention to their league campaign, following their record-breaking sixth triumph in the CAF Champions League on November 16th. Ahli lie fifth with 16 points in the league table, but the defending champions have four rescheduled matches in hand, and would make it to the top should they win all. The African champions will play three matches, including Wednesday's game, before traveling to Japan on December 5th to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup. Absentees' Return Boosted by the historic feat, Ahli are facing the newly-promoted Police with an injury-free squad, apart from long-term casualty Emad Al-Nahhas and the unfit Hassan Mostafa.
Fathi returns Egypt midfielder Ahmed Fathi is set for a league comeback after a long lay-off due to an Achilles tendon injury. The former Sheffield United man, who came in as a second-half substitute in the Champions League final, is in line to make his first league appearance since he sustained the injury in April. Ahli trainer Alaa Maihoub revealed that players who haven't featured lately are poised to get a chance in the game. Fathi, Hussein Yasser, Moetazbellah Eno and Osama Hosni are pushing for rare starts, as Manuel Jose could rest some key men ahead of the Japan 2008 showdown. On the other hand, Police Union assistant coach Mohamed Ibrahim seemed worried that his side will face the Cairo giants without several key players. "The game will be very difficult, not just because Ahli are boosted by their Champions League victory, but also due to the absence of some of our important players," said the former Egypt international. Talaat Youssef's side will miss the suspended trio Essam Abdul-Aati, Hamdi Seif and first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed Khalaf, while Haytham Awad and Ahmed Al-Fayoumi are out injured.
