Talaat, who was largely disappointing in Egypt's U-20 World Cup campaign on home soil, was given a chance to make amends when he played as a lone striker in Ahli's 2-1 victory over promoted Mansoura last week.

He hardly impressed and was replaced with Mohamed Fadl in the second half.

Ahli coach Hossam Al-Badri opted to include out-of-favor striker Ahmed Belal in a 20-man squad for the game against ENPPI.

Goalkeeper Amir Abdul-Hamid was also omitted after a fall-out with Al-Badri.

Emad Meteb, who made his long-awaited return from injury against Mansoura, is set for a starting role as he seeks to make Egypt's squad for next month's crucial World Cup qualifier against Algeria.

Defending champions Ahli, who eye a sixth successive league triumph, are on top of the 16-team table on 17 points from seven games, three ahead of nearest challengers Petrojet.

Ahli squad:

Goalkeepers: Ahmed Abdul-Monem, Ramzi Saleh

Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Sherif Abdul-Fadil, Mohamed Samir, Ahmed Al-Sayed, Ahmed Ali, Sayed Moawad

Midfielders: Ahmed Fathi, Abdullah Farouk, Mohamed Barakat, Hossam Ashour, Mostafa Shebeita, Moataz Eno, Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Abou-Treika

Strikers: Mohamed Fad, Ahmed Belal, Emad Meteb, Osama Hosni