Omar Gamal handed Ismaili a major boost after returning from a lengthy injury layoff in his side's 1-0 friendly victory over Masri on Thursday. The 27-year-old has been out of action since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in a league game against Telecom Egypt last May. His absence heavily affected Ismaili, who struggle for consistency this season. They could now rely on Gamal to revive a poor frontline that hardly impressed in the first half of the season. Gamal, who played 15 minutes in Ismaili's win over Masri, has a chance to regain match fitness before the Egyptian Premier League resumes in February following the African Cup of Nations. Last season's runners-up Ismaili entered the mid-season break in third place with 28 points, seven behind leaders and defending champions Ahli.