CAIRO: Ismaili s Egyptian Premier League title aspirations were dealt a blow after playmaker Abdullah Saied picked up a foot injury that will rule him out of action for three weeks.
The 24-year-old was substituted after 25 minutes of Monday s league draw with Zamalek after sustaining the injury to mount the problems of a depleted Ismaili side.
Saied has a fracture of his instep, Ismaili doctor Magdi Al-Baz told FilGoal.com on Wednesday.
He will need three weeks of treatment to return to training.
Saied is one of Ismaili s most consistent performers this season, with his deft assists heavily benefiting the team. He has scored three league goals so far this term.
Ismaili struggled for consistency this season due to some shaky defensive displays and the absence of several key players for large parts of the season.
Winger Omar Gamal, who is considered one of the integral members of Ismaili s squad like Saied, has recently made his long-awaited return from a lengthy lay-off but was injured again few days later.
The last season s runners-up, who also suffer from the lack of reliable strikers, are nine points adrift of leaders and bitter rivals Ahly.
