Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri could be left with a goalkeeping headache ahead of his side's anticipated clash against Ismaili after Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud picked up a calf injury. Regular guardian Sherif Ekrami earlier sustained a knee injury that ruled him out of last Tuesday's Egyptian Premier League tie against Gouna, paving the way for Aboul-Saoud to make his competitive debut. Aboul-Saoud, who joined Ahli from Mansoura in the summer, pulled off a string of impressive saves in the Red Devils' disappointing 1-1 draw at lowly Gouna. But the 22-year-old suffered a calf muscle strain as Al-Badri faces an anxious wait to learn whether he would be available for the clash at bitter foes Ismaili on November 21. "Aboul-Saoud is undergoing a treatment program under the supervision of team doctor Ehab Ali," Ahli said on their official website on Friday. "Doctor Ali is doing his best to prepare him for the upcoming league game against Ismaili in Ismailia." With Ekrami unlikely to play, Al-Badri could have no option but to field third-choice goalie Ahmed Adel against Ismaili if Aboul-Saoud failed to recover in time to participate in the match. Ahli have already had to without a number of key players when they met Gouna as they appeared out of sorts against their unfancied opponents. But they were boosted by the news that attacking midfielder Mohamed Barakat, left-back Sayed Moawad and Liberian striker Francis Doe will be fit to feature in the Ismaili game. Defending champions Ahli, who eye a seventh consecutive league title, are second in the table with 18 points from 8 games, three behind leaders Zamalek who played two matches more.
