The former Egyptian international hasn’t played for Ahli since returning to the club in the summer after a six-month loan spell with Al-Wehda in the Saudi league.

Media speculation suggested that the combative midfielder will be leaving the club in January due to lack of first team football.

However, the 29-year-old was included in the squad at the expense of Moetazbellah Mohamed ' Eno'.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Farag's goal against Koroum in the cup earned the striker a squad place for the second successive game.

Midfielder Hossam Ashour will miss the game after collecting three yellow cards, while Ahmed Hassan is out with a muscle injury.

Ahli will enter the encounter in sixth place with 20 points, ten adrift of league leaders Petrojet, who played five more games than the Red Devils.

Ahli's squad:

Goalkeepers: Amir Abdul-Hamid, Ramzi Saleh.

Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Al-Sayed, Shadi Mohamed, Sayed Moawad, Mohamed Samir, Abdul-Hamid Ahmed, Gilberto, Ahmed Sedik, Ahmed Ali.

Midfielders: Mohamed Barakat, Hassan Mostafa, Ahmed Fathi, Hussein Ali, Mohamed Abou-Treika.

Strikers: Osama Hosni, Ahmed Hassan Farag, Flavio Amado.