Lebanese striker Mohamed Ghaddar is the champions' only fit and recognized striker, amid the absence of all other favorable options.

Mohamed Fadl, Francis Doe and Osama Hosni are all out injured, while Mohamed Talaat has been dropped for disciplinary reasons.

Ghaddar, who is deemed fifth-choice striker for Al-Badri, is now set to make his full debut for the Reds since joining from Nejmeh in the summer.

He is likely to join attacking midfielders Geddo and Mohamed Abou-Treika.

Center-half Ahmed Al-Sayed is unavailable due to injury, making way for backup youngster Mohamed Samir.

Talented Algerian Amir Sayoud is also a surprise inclusion after impressing in a number of warm-up games.

Summer-signing Goalkeeper Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud has been favored to Ahmed Adel as backup for Sherif Ekrami.

Ahli squad

Goalkeepers: Ekrami, Aboul-Saoud

Defenders: Gomaa, Abdul-Fadil, Moawad, Fathi, Mohamed Samir, Saad Samir

Midfielders: Ashour, Shehab, Ghaly, Eno, Sayoud, Barakat, Abou-Treika, Shokri, Shabana, Geddo

Strikers: Ghaddar