"Cabral looks for instant ready-made players. Belal and Hosni would need time to regain their top form," Mohamed Nour told FilGoal.com.

Hosni, who came through Ahli's youth ranks but never established himself as a regular starter, has been recently involved in a bust-up with coach Hossam Al-Badri due to lack of first-team action.

Belal, once one of the best strikers in Egypt, plays a peripheral role this season following the close-season arrival of strike duo Mohamed Fadl and Liberian Francis Doe.

Ittihad's frontmen failed to impress so far this season. Mohamed Al-Morsi, who joined from Zamalek on a season-long loan, is the only striker to have found the net after eight games.

Brazilian coach Cabral, who took over from Taha Basri in September, is aiming to turn around Ittihad's fortunes after a disastrous start to their Egyptian Premier League campaign.

The Alexandria-based club lie second from bottom in the 16-team table with five points from eight matches.