Defending champions Ahli are likely to miss Liberian striker Francis Doe when they host Police Union in their Egyptian Premier League opener on Friday. "Doe picked up a minor injury in today's training session," Ahli football director Hadi Khashaba said on the club's official website on Wednesday. "His chances of playing against Police Union are remote because he needs two days to recover." Doe has failed to establish himself at Ahli since joining last summer on a free transfer. He is often used as a substitute. Ahli, who failed to reach an agreement with star striker Emad Meteb to extend his contract following the end of last season, are already without current first-choice frontman Mohamed Fadl due to injury. Mohamed Talaat, 21, is likely to spearhead the Red Devils' attack against Police Union. Talaat was Egypt's regular striker in last year's U-20 World Cup on home soil but he was rarely used by Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri afterwards. However, he could be given a new lease of life after producing a fine display in Ahli's African Champions League victory over Ismaili in Group B last Sunday. He scored the opener to set Ahli on their way to a 2-1 win over their bitter rivals at Cairo Stadium.
