Injury crisis at East Bengal

East Bengal could be without as many as four first-team regulars for their next I-League fixture against Rangdajied United on Sunday.

A club press release on Wednesday revealed that Uga Okpara, Lalrindika Ralte, Shylo Malswamtluanga and Mehtab Hossain are all sidelined.

Okpara will undergo surgery on his ankle on Thursday and is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season. The Nigerian central defender suffered the injury against Mohammedan Sporting last week.

Midfield general and skipper Mehtab Hossain aggravated a cartilage injury during the international friendly against Bangladesh and only started his recovery on Wednesday.

Lalrindika has a ligament strain and has been advised to rest completely until Friday, after which the doctor will examine him and decide the rehabilitation procedure. In-form winger Malswamtluanga has suffered a hamstring tear and is ruled out of training for at least a week.

East Bengal currently trail league leaders Bengaluru FC by 13 points and have three games in hand.