"The game is going to be a stern challenge, seeing that a host of our players are suffering from fatigue," Ismaili assistant coach Ashraf Khedr told FilGoal.com.

"We will depend on physiological factors, such as enthusiasm and desire to carry on winning."

Ismaili ran out of gas as a result of their hectic schedule and commitments on more than one front.

Apart from their league matches, the Dervishes have recently arrived in Egypt after a trip to Tamponnaise of Reunion Island in the CAF Champions League.

They called on the Egyptian FA's competition committee to postpone their previous match with Ghazl Mahalla but they were turned down and the match was played on Thursday as scheduled.

Ismaili are now in third place with 40 points, only one point ahead of Petrojet who face bottom side Asyut Petroleum on the same day.

Team News

Ismaili's Mohamed Mohsen will miss the game through automatic suspension.

Omar Gamal, Abdullah Al-Saied and Ahmed Khairy were ruled out due to injury.

On the other hand, Police assistant coach Mohamed Ibrahim won't be among the backroom boys as he received a touchline ban for the remainder of the season.

Ibrahim made outrageous gestures towards Zamalek's fans in last week's meeting.

Other Matches

Petrojet have a relatively easy task but the absentees leave head coach Mokhtar Mokhtar on the horns of a dilemma.

"We are seeking to win the game but have so many players unavailable," he told FilGoal.com.

"The weather will be particularly hot in Asyut and that's another reason to worry about the match."

Mohamed Shaban will take no part in the game for collecting his third yellow card.

Influential trio Al-Sayed Hamdi, Eric Bekoe and goalie Ahmed Fawzi will also miss the game.

Elsewhere, Masri will take on relegation-threatened Arab Contractors, while Mahalla will face Gouna.