Eight injured Al Ain players have been examined by a top German surgeon who was invited to the UAE to assess their health.
Hans Paessler, a knee specialist who has worked with the likes of tennis great Steffi Graf, was brought in to offer advice on the condition of Salem Abdullah, Waleed Salem, Saif Mohammed, Ali al Wehaibi, Hazza Salem, Saeed Abdurrahman al Meqbali, Abdullah Mallallah, and Abdullah Sultan. Those who require further treatment will travel to Italy after the season finishes.
Abdullah is of particular concern for the club. He has been injured since last season after a collision with Ali Kasheif, the Al Jazira goalkeeper. After a period of rehabilitation in Germany, he is still experiencing inflammation and discomfort in the joint.
Mohammed has been sidelined since earlier this month but medical tests show he has only torn some tissues which have sidelined him for three weeks so far.
Salem is the most recent injury. The goalkeeper sustained a torn muscle in his right leg in the recent match against Al Dhafra and has been advised to rest for three to four weeks.
