Al Sailiya defender Ghanem Al Qahtani is undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme following a surgery he underwent at Qatar’s orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital Aspetar on 11th December to correct an injury on his ankle.

He suffered the injury during their 1-2 loss to Al Ahli in Week 10 of the QNB Stars League on 2nd December.

Ghanem is one of the most talented players in the QNB Stars League and a vital cog in the defensive machine of Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi, who hoped he would be back in training in time for the tournament’s second phase.

Al Sailiya, fourth in the standings with 19 points after the conclusion of first phase, will host Al Arabi at the Al Ahli Stadium in the 12th round on 12th January.

All other players, except Hamad Obaidi and Abdul Karim Al Ali who did duty for Qatar at the Gulf Cup in Kuwait, are attending the team’s training sessions.

Meanwhile, Al Sailiya will play a friendly against Tianjin Quanjian on Wednesday at the Aspire Zone, where the Chinese team’s winter camp is based.