Ahli could once again be without influential midfielder Hossam Ashour when they face Harras Hodoud in a rescheduled Egyptian Premier League game on Tuesday. Ashour missed Ahli's previous three games due to an ankle injury but was expected to feature in the Hodoud encounter. But he picked up a hamstring complaint that could prevent him from making his comeback against the military club. "Ashour missed today's training session after straining a hamstring muscle," Ahli doctor Magdi Abdul-Aziz told FilGoal.com on Sunday. "He is undergoing treatment but we are not sure whether he can take part in Tuesday's match." The 24-year-old's absence leaves a big void in Ahli's midfield, given his tireless defensive work which annoys opposing forwards. Ahli will be also without mercurial midfielder Mohamed Barakat, who is nursing a knee injury, and Amir Sayoud after the Algerian playmaker sustained a groin injury. The club, who are managed by Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Shafi 'Zizo' on a temporary basis, cannot afford to stumble against Hodoud if they are to cling to the coat-tails of arch-rivals and league leaders Zamalek. Zamalek have 27 points from 12 matches, seven clear of fifth-placed Ahli who played a game less. The Cairo duo clash in an anticipated derby on December 30. Ahli are seeking to win a seventh consecutive league title while Zamalek are eyeing their first triumph since 2004.
