UAE Pro League notebook 26/09/2011

Al Ahli reveal plans of moving to a 23,000-seater stadium, Wahda are depleted for their next three Etisalat Cup matches, Wasl's Fahad Masood is out for two weeks and Jazira coach Vercauteren is impressed with Ali Mabkhout. Al Ahli

Al Ahli have revealed plans for a new 23,000-seater stadium. Advisory groups are currently studying the project, and a final draft for Ahli's new home is expected to be ready by the end of next month.

"We will then submit the plans to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed [the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Al Ahli club] for approval," said Abdullah Al Naboodah, the chairman of the club's board. "The new stadium will be economically feasible as we will have commercial establishments around it."

Baniyas

The club are giving a trial to Fabry Destin Makita, the DR Congo international defender, with a view to make him their third overseas player.

A spokesman confirmed the 27 year old was training at the club and a decision will be made by the weekend. But he may face some competition to land a deal with Baniyas.

"Makita is on trial for the next few days and it looks like we will bring in one other player as well, who we will take a look at," the spokesman said. "The club will definitely sign one of them, although at this moment we cannot say who the second trialist will be." Makita, who can play centre-half or full-back, has spent all of his club career in Africa. He has won 28 full caps.

Al Wahda

Josef Hickersberger, the manager, will have a depleted squad for the club's next three Etisalat Cup games after eight of his players were called up by the national team for their 2014 World Cup qualifier against South Korea on October 11.

They include Hamdan Al Kamali, who has passed a fitness test after fracturing a cheekbone against Kuwait on September 2. Wahda travel to Dubai for a meeting with Diego Maradona's Al Wasl on Saturday followed by home games with Emirate and Dubai.

Wahda will also be without Ismail Matar, Mohammed Al Shehhi, Eisa Ahmed, Mahmoud Khamis, Khalid Jalal, Adel Al Hosani and Basheer Saeed, who returns to national duty after retiring from international football three years ago.

Al Wasl

Fahad Masood has been ruled out of action for 15 days after picking up an injury during the Etisalat Cup match against Emirates last week.

The defender, who is on loan from Al Wahda, is disappointed with the turn of events.

"I am really sad about it as the injury comes at a really bad time," Masood told reporters. "I had just started getting along with the players and showing a level that made the coach give me a start against Emirates. Now I am out for two weeks and will need to start all over again.

"After the game, Maradona [the coach] gave me a kiss on the head and psychologically, this has eased some of my pain. It was a great gesture from him and it will be a motivation for me to come back even stronger."

Al Jazira

Frankie Vercauteren, the Al Jazira coach, has been impressed with Ali Mabkhout's performances for the UAE Olympic team.

The 21-year-old striker has not had an opportunity to work with the new coach, but the Belgian has watched him on tape. Mabkhout showed up particularly well in last week's 0-0 draw for the UAE against Australia.

"I watched the DVD of the [Australia] game and I liked what I saw of him," said Vercauteren. "It is a shame we do not have him with us right now because we could use him. He has looked good for the Olympic Team."

* Compiled by Neil Cameron, Ahmed Rizvi and Amith Passela