Abd-Rabou damaged knee ligaments in July and was not expected back before the new year, but the Egypt star has now resumed full training and is close to be fit for match action.

“Abd-Rabou could make his comeback against Military Production (on December 25),” Dutchman Wotte told FilGoal.com.

“His return would be a major boost for our team, but I don’t want to rush him back.

“He should appear in a couple of friendly matches before playing in competitive games.”

Abd-Rabou has yet to make his first appearance for Ismaili after returning from a a two-year loan spell at UAE’s Ahli Dubai last summer.

The Dervishes face lowly Smouha on Thursday in a rescheduled match in Ismailia, hoping to move second with a victory.