Key players will be missing from both ends but that will take absolutely nothing out of the clash which we are about to witness on Sunday in the final league game of ISL 2016. The match between Kerala Blasters and NorthEast United will determine who makes it to the semis of the competition, but it is almost being seen as the ISL 2016 final.
For the home team, midfielder Mehtab Hossain is unavailable, while utility player Josu remains a major doubt for the match. While the Indian footballer has been suspended for the game, the Spaniard, who is more efficient as a left-back, picked up a knock in the pre-match training, Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell has informed.
"We have Mehtab who is suspended. We have a bit of situation with Josu who went over on his ankles during a training session," mentioned the former Manchester United veteran, during the pre-match presser. "We'll make a call on him in the [Sunday] morning. Other than that, everyone's okay."
Former Premier League forward Michael Chopra, meanwhile, is in contention for a start. The former Newcastle United player more or less faded into oblivion after the arrival of CK Vineeth. "He [Chopra] had a thigh issue for a few games due to which he could not play," continued Coppell. "I considered playing him against Kolkata but the day before the match, but he got knocked out during training and he was not well in the team bus while going to the hotel.
"But he is in contention for tomorrow," Coppell added.
For NorthEast United FC meanwhile, the major blow remains the injury of Subrata Paul. The veteran Indian goalkeeper cannot participate in Sunday's match as well as he has not recovered on time. Subrata will join the bench along with Brazilian defender Gustavo Lazzaretti as well, who is also out with an injury.
Nelo Vingada, the coach of NorthEast United, has however mentioned that Nico Velez, who was off early on in their previous match of ISL 2016, is steadily recovering from his injury and is contention to start against Kerala Blasters.
"We have some players with three yellow cards but we have no suspensions and we have Subrata Paul and Gustavo out. I believe Nico [Velez] will be okay for tomorrow [Sunday]," Vingada said.
