Kolkata: Marquee signing of Indian Super League franchise ATK, who missed the first match of the fourth edition owing to an Achilles tendon injury he suffered during the pre-season campaign in Dubai is expected to be fit within the next ‘two weeks’ said head coach Teddy Sheringham.
“We are looking forward to Robbie Keane coming back. He is taken an injection on his Achilles. Things have progressed well. He is on his way back as we speak, which will give everyone a big lift at the club,” said the ATK head coach. Before adding, “He won’t be fit for tomorrw. Hope with progress maybe next week or the week after that. I will keep my fingers crossed for the next couple of weeks.”
The Irish legend Keane, who made a great start to his stint in India during the pre-season before injuring himself, is however yet to make his debut. Playing without their marquee man ATK failed to score a goal past the Kerala defense, coming home with a solitary point. However Sheringham played down the matter when questioned of his side’s striking prowess sans Keane.
Praising Njazi Kuqi, who started the previous match Teddy said, “Kuqi had a very good game. Robin (Singh) has been impressive in training. He can’t wait to get a start. I understand how strikers are. Kuqi was unselfish in the last game. I like my strikers to be unselfish but also to score goals as well. We all will be hoping he gets on the scoresheet tomorrow as that will make life easy for all of us. We have players that can score goal, so I won’t say that we have lack of striking force,” said the Manchester United legend.
“We also have Hitesh (Sharma) as well who plays just behind the striker. whether he plays that position or not tomorrow, I am not so sure. We have players that can score goals and it’s not just about one person,” the champions League winner added.
However it is not just Keane, ATK has been moved with several other injuries at the beginning of the season. The likes of Conor Thomas, Ashutosh Mehta, Jayesh Rane were already injured and now defender Anwar Ali has also joined the list.
“Ashutosh had a hamstring problem three weeks ago and now he’s nearing full fitness. But you can never be too sure with hamstrings so we are being cautious. It’s the same with Anwar Ali. Jayesh has a knee problem, we expected it to be a longer injury, but he’s a strong and fit lad and he’s progressing well. We hope to have him back soon. Ronald and Shankar are also nearing fitness,”confirmed the ATK head coach ahead of the math against Pune.