Mohun Bagan have a daunting task ahead of them as they lock horns with home favourites Shillong Lajong FC in their bid to earn full points during their ninth round I-League encounter at the J N Stadium here.
The Thangboi Singto's side is on a high after earning their first home win this season against Mohammedan Sporting last week.
Mohun Bagan on the other hand will miss their main striker Odafa and Eric, which Karim Bencherifa termed it as a major setback for the team.
He also complained of another setback as the team, majority of who are below 23 years old, is yet to make best of the combinations among its players.
Aibor Khongjee, the defender who has just been selected in the national team, is yet to strike a combination at the back along with the other defenders in the team, Karim said, adding that a year of working with the Meghalaya lad made him happy with his performances.
"I've worked with Aibor for almost a year and he is very educated, strong and I'm happy to see him in the national team," he said.
The Kolkata giants had a poor start to their campaign but are finding their form having registered two wins and a draw in the past three games.
The schedule was also not easy with six away games out of eight fixtures, he said.
However, it was not easy for the home side to host the Kolkata giants for tomorrow's match.
Thangboi expressed doubts Japanese midfielder Taisuke Matsugae and Trinidad striker Cornell Glen services tomorrow as they are nursing injuries.
The host will however, look for a repeat of last season's win at home when they got the better of Bagan 2-0 with goals from Boithang and Lalramluaha Hmar.
