Salgaocar FC will look for maximum points when they take on Mumbai FC in a Round 10 clash of the Hero I-League at the Nehru Stadium here tomorrow.
Salgaocar are currently placed seventh in the table with 11 points while their opponents are ranked a place higher on sixth, having accumulated 12 points.
The Mumbai outfit got the better of the Greens in the first leg played at the refurbished Cooperage stadium and Salgaocar will be keen to ensure they reverse the outcome at home.
Injuries have been the Greens' biggest enemy this season with as many as five key players missing the last encounter against Bengaluru FC. In that match, the youngsters did admirably well to ward off a full strength Bengaluru side until the final 10 minutes -- a late Robin Singh goal sealing the game in favour of the Blues.
"We have been defending very well as we have shown in the last couple of games and playing good football all round. Unfortunately though, we have not found the back of the net as often as we would like to and that has cost us dear," said coach Derrick Pereira.
"This is the best side Mumbai FC have had in a while, they are a physically strong side. But we have prepared ourselves well and will look to stick to basics," he added.
The gaffer, however, will be buoyed by the return of India international Augustin Fernandes and Zambian Francis Kasonde at the heart of defence, both having missed the last game through suspension and injury respectively.
Striker Darryl Duffy has also resumed training earlier in the week and is likely to be included in the final 18. Saran Singh, who was introduced in the latter stages of the last game after a lengthy lay-off through injury, is also fully. Left-back Gurjinder Kumar, however, will miss tomorrow's game through suspension.
Mumbai, on the other hand, have recovered well after a poor start to their campaign. Brazilian striker Josimar has been in fine form having found the back of the net five times this season in eight games and returns for the clash tomorrow. Mumbai FC will however miss the services of midfielder Sampath Kuttymani through suspension.
