Ghanem was excluded again despite making the squad in the previous match against Petrojet, making way for the Amr Al-Safti, who missed the 2-1 win due to suspension.

Playmaker Wagih Abdul-Azim is another newcomer for the Whites, who face the only team that managed to defeat them this season.

Mido is still unavailable due to a registration problem, so is star striker Amr Zaki who is still struggling with a troublesome knee. Full-back Ahmed Samir is out with a hamstring injury.

Egypt U-20 trio Mohamed Ibrahim, Omar Gaber and Ahmed Tawfik are all with the national team in the African Youth Championship in South Africa.

Zamalek squad:

Goalkeepers: Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed, Mostafa Abdul-Sattar, Mahmoud Abdul-Rahim ‘Gennesh’

Defenders: Mahmoud Fathallah, Amr Al-Safti, Mohamed Younes, Mohamed Abdul-Shafi, Ahmed Katawi, Hani Saied

Midfielders: Hassan Mostafa, Ibrahim Salah, Shikabala, Hossam Arafat, Ashour Al-Adham, Hazem Emam, Alaa Ali, Wagih Abdul-Azim

Strikers: Ahmed Gaafar, Abou Kone, Hussein Yasser