Injuries on the coaches' mind ahead of Kolkata Derby

A DAY AFTER East Bengal survived a slight scare with Du Dong-hyun's injury, Mohun Bagan suffered a setback with two of their players, Balwant Singh and Raju Gaikwad, suffering injuries.

During practice yesterday, Balwant Singh picked up a groin injury and had to stop practicing. Raju Gaikwad, too, did his hamstring in.

Both players did not take part in today's practice session and are doubtful for Saturday's match.

Balwant's injury, ironically, may actually make things easier for Mohun Bagan coach Sanjay Sen. While the club's other major Indian striker, Jeje Lalpekhlua, has been in great for playing for Chennaiyin FC in ISL and the Indian national team in the SAFF Championship, Balwant's two goals in two matches made it difficult for Sen to bench him. This problem of plenty, while certainly not the worst thing in the world, was one of the concerns for the Bagan coach going into the Kolkata Derby.

Meanwhile, the only injury in the mind of Biswajit Bhattacharya is that of his other midfielder Sehnaj Singh. The Punjabi player, who was a part of Mohun Bagan's I-League-winning squad last season, is still unsure for Saturday's high-voltage Derby encounter and fans of both clubs are looking eagerly towards any news on his health, given the performance he has put on for the Red and Golds so far.