Al Ain bank on squad strength in Asamoah Gyan's absence

Published on: 04 January 2012

Al Ain's title push could be derailed by injuries to key players as they face Al Shababin tonight's top-of-the-table match.

The Pro League leaders will be without Asamoah Gyan, their high-profile summer signing, while Yasser Al Qahtani, the Saudi Arabia forward, and Waleed Salem, the captain and goalkeeper, are both doubtful.

Gyan pulled up while chasing a through ball and was forced to leave the pitch after half an hour in Al Ain's 4-0 victory over Emirates last week.

Cosmin Olaroiu, the Al Ain coach, said the absence of Gyan, the Ghana international, leaves a big hole in his attack.

"Gyan has showed good performances for us in all games and for that reason we will miss him," Olaroiu said.

"He leaves us one match earlier than we expected and now we have to find solutions until his return.

"So we will apply teamwork to fill the gaps of any missing player."

Gyan, who is on loan from the English Premier League club Sunderland, tops the league scoring chart with 10 goals from nine matches.

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