ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters have full squad available, ATK sweat over Robbie Keane's fitness
What's the story?
The latest addition of the Indian Super League is kicking start tomorrow with last years finalists Kerala Blasters and ATK facing off against each other in Kochi as the ISL 2017. Both the teams had spend huge amounts on getting some of the best players around, and the fans are expecting a good clash between the two heavy weights.
In case you didn't know
During the preseason, some of the big names in the team like Wes Brown and Robbie Keane had some fitness concerns, and were said to miss the season starter between Kerala Blasters and ATK.
Heart of the matter
The Kerala Blasters star and former Manchester United player Wes Brown had a slight injury concerns during the last pre-season match against Gokulam FC and was subbed off in the match. Kerala Blasters coach Rene Meulensteen had shared to a local paper that Brown had a strain in his thighs and the technical staff was assessing the situation.
In the pre-match press conference, however, Meulensteen said "All the players are fit for tomorrows match and the whole squad is ready for the match against ATK."
Luckily for the Kerala Fans their star defender has recovered on time and is fit to face Kolkata.
Kolkata Coach Teddy Sheringham shared his concerns over Robbie Keane, who had a broken heel in the preseason and will be out for two weeks.
"Keane has had his injections and is back at Kolkata and will start rehabilitation soon," said Teddy. He added that there have been a few other players, who have had knocks in the training ground, but everybody except Keane is fit for tomorrow's match.
Sheringham also added that he has a very big squad to cope with the injury concerns that he has.
What's next?
Kerala Blasters do not have any Injury concerns and Meulensteen will have his full squad at disposal for tomorrows game. But the Kerala coach said that it will take four more weeks for the players to hit top fitness levels.
Author's take
Even though ATK will miss Robbie Keane, they have a good line up of strikers like Robin Singh, Jayesh Rane, and Zequinha who can replace him in the attacking lineup.