Star playmaker Abou-Treika has recently recovered from a niggling knee injury.

He was expected to start the game, having participated in Ahli’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Egyptian League newly-promoted side Police Union.

However, Ahli coach Manuel Jose surprisingly opted against including him in the Red Devils’ squad for the Cairo derby.

Angolan winger Gilberto has been struggling with an ankle complaint over the past few days. He failed to recover in time to feature in the anticipated encounter.

Striker Meteb, whose move to Bristol City fell through, will be also out due to a hamstring strain.

The squad did not also include several new arrivals such as Hussein Ali, Ahmed Farag and Hani Al-Egeizi.

Those players were expected to at least sit on the bench against Zamalek.

Ahli squad:

Goalkeepers: Amir Abdul-Hamid, Ramzi Saleh

Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Rami Adel, Shadi Mohamed, Ahmed Al-Sayed, Abdul-Hamid Ahmed, Sayed Moawad, Ahmed Sedik

Midfielders: Ahmed Hassan, Hossam Ashour, Hassan Mostafa, Mohamed Barakat, Moataz Eno, Anis Boujelbene, Hussein Yasser

Strikers: Flavio Amado, Osama Hosni, Ahmed Belal