I-League Media Team

Kolkata: Kingfisher East Bengal are all set to welcome Minerva Punjab in what would be a battle to salvage pride for both sides.

The Red and Golds have not had smooth sailing both on and off the pitch. With head coach Trevor James Morgan having resigned earlier the week and new coach Mridul Banerjee indisposed due to an injury, assistant Ranjan Chaudhari is all set to be on the sidelines.

Red & Golds still currently sit in the third place on the table but have Bengaluru and Shillong Lajong close on their heels.

Willis Plaza will be out suspended but Wedson Anselme will be back in the reckoning. Chris Payne and Robin Singh would be handed a start in attack while Jackichand Singh and Romeo Fernandes might be given a chance on the wings.

Meanwhile, Arnab Mondal will look to start with Ivan Bukenya in central defence.

Minerva Punjab meanwhile will be missing their goalkeeper Arnab Das Sharma who has left the squad. However, Arshdeep Singh, who was superb against Mohun Bagan will be the ideal replacement.

Lack of goals upfront is a worry for the side and Kareem Nurain might start up front.

Meanwhile, Loveday and Sang Min Kim will look to populate the defence.

Surinder Singh will know that this is the right time to play East Bengal as they have lost their last four matches.

A win for Kingfisher East Bengal will look at them cementing their third spot while Minerva have only pride in store as they are immune from relegation.

“I think we did not deserve to lose against Mohun Bagan and a similar performance will surely give us a result against East Bengal,” said Singh.

The match is scheduled at 04:30 PM and it’ll be telecast live on Ten 2.