Mohun Bagan injuries: Balwant Singh recovers, Shilton Paul is out till the Kolkata Derby

AS THE LEAGUE LEADERS prepare for their mid-international break away match against Aizawl FC, there is good and bad news for Mohun Bagan in terms of injuries.

Word is, while striker Balwant Singh has made a full recovery from the groin injury that has kept him out for almost 2 months, squad captain Shilton Paul's injury seems to be serious enough to keep him out till the trip to Siliguri for the Kolkata Derby on 2nd April.

Balwant's recovery will bring a sigh of relief to head coach Sanjoy Sen, because for the match against Aizawl he will be missing prolific attackers like Jeje Lalpekhlua and Sony Norde who will be away playing for the national teams of India and Haiti. The experienced Balwant combined with Cornell Glen will be the best shot for the Mariners to maintain the offensive sharpness that has fuelled them for the majority of the season.

Shilton Paul's prolonged absence is not an immediate concern for the Green and Maroons since for most of the season it has been Debjit Majumder who has served as the first-choice custodian. But they will nonetheless have to be cautious with Debjit, as any injury to him will see them end up with an inexperienced third-choice keeper just ahead of the all-important Kolkata Derby.