Ahly facing shortage of defenders ahead of Dakhleya game

Ahly’s 18-man squad for Wednesday’s Egyptian Premier League game against promoted Dakhleya includes just three defenders, following the injury of Mohamed Naguib. Although influential centre back Naguib faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a groin muscle tear, Ahly coach Manuel Jose opted against recalling fellow defenders Sherif Abdel-Fadil and Ahmed El-Sayed. Youth defender Ahmed El-Esh stepped in to become the third defender in Ahly’s roster. Jose is expected to field a three-man defence after reverting to a traditional 3-5-2 formation in the 2-0 victory over Ittihad of Alexandria. Mohamed Shawky is also out after picking up an injury against Ittihad, leaving Ahly with no recognised defensive midfielder, given that the defensive-minded Ahmed Fathi is usually deployed as a right back. Ahly host Dakhleya behind closed doors on Wednesday after they were punished by the Egyptian Football Association for crowd troubles. The defending champions are on top of the league table with eight points from four matches, one point ahead of archrival Zamalek, who played a game less. Ahly squad: Goalkeepers: Ahmed Adel,  Sherif Ekrami. Defenders: Wael Goma, Rami Rabea, Ahmed El-Esh, Ahmed Shedid, Sayed Mowad, Ahmed Fathi. Midfielders: Hossam Ghaly, Moataz Eno, Walid Soliman, Mohamed Abou-Treika, Abdullah El-Saied. Forwards: Mohamed “Gedo” Nagy, Emad Meteb, Fabio Junior, El-Sayed Hamdy, Dominique Da Silva.