Ahli's attacking midfielder Ahmed Shokri is fit to play against Heartland in Sunday's African Champions League clash after recovering from a pelvic injury. The 21-year-old, who rose to prominence last season under coach Hossam Al-Badri, has been out of action for almost a month. Although he seemed to have lost his regular place in Ahli's starting line-up following the arrival of several prominent players in the summer, Shokri remains a valuable option on the bench. The club said on Friday that he is included in their 20-man squad for the anticipated game against Nigeria's Heartland at Cairo Stadium. Shokri could fill the void left by mercurial midfielder Mohamed Barakat, who was ruled out of the game through suspension. Central midfielder Hossam Ghaly is also out as he will serve the second match of his four-game ban. Ahli will begin life without Egypt skipper and veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan, who ruptured a cruciate knee ligament during his side's disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Algeria's JS Kabylie in their previous Champions League encounter. Al-Badri, who is anxiously waiting for the January transfer window to be able to field striker Emad Meteb, still has limited options upfront. Underachieving Liberian striker Francis Doe was left out of the squad, leaving Mohamed Fadl, Lebanese Mohamed Ghaddar, Mohamed Talaat and Osama Hosni as the recognized frontmen at Al-Badri's disposal. The quartet were heavily criticized recently for failing to spearhead Ahli's attack, which has lacked the presence of a reliable striker since the departure of Emad Meteb in the close season. Meteb returned to his boyhood club after terminating the two-year contract he signed with Belgian side Standard Liege. Six-time African Champions Ahli lie second in Group B with five points, one ahead of third-placed Heartland and two clear of bitter rivals Ismaili, who lie at the bottom. Kabylie, who top the group with 10 points from four games, have qualified for the semi finals of Africa's premier club competition.
