Barakat’s omission from the squad flying to Khobar on Tuesday comes after football director Sayed Abdul-Hafiz ensured the 34-year-old should be fit for this week’s match.

The veteran winger’s troublesome knee raised fears over a chronic injury recently, a question which Abdul-Hafiz vehemently denied after Sunday’s friendly match with MCDR.

Goalkeeper Sherif Ekrami will also sit out the Saudi Arabia trip following the knee surgery he underwent last week.

Meanwhile, striker Dominique da Silva has been disciplined by the club following his dismissal in the MCDR game, which saw him score twice.