ABU DHABI // Al Jazira have been given a boost ahead of their Pro League trip to Sharjah on Friday with Matias Delgado, their Argentine playmaker, being declared fit.
The club tweeted on Sunday that Delgado, who trained with the team last night, had taken a kick on an ankle late in the win against Al Ahli and could require some rest. However, Nick Worth, the club's medical services director, revealed the former Besiktas player, 28, was available for selection.
"Matias actually came off during the Al Ahli game with cramp and while he did get a kick, that was purely coincidental," Worth said.
"The players had two days off after the game and he has come back absolutely fine."
Franky Vercauteren, the head coach, sees Delgado as an integral part of Jazira's attacking play.
Ali Kashief, the Jazira goalkeeper who has been recovering from a cartilage problem in his right knee, has now come through two 90-minute games and is ready to make a first-team comeback. "Ali played his second reserve game, on Sunday, against Al Ahli and his knee has shown no reaction at all to the injury," confirmed Worth.
Meanwhile, Lucas Neill believes the 4-0 win over Ahli sent a message to the rest of the league.
"We made a great start last week. I could even have scored, but got an assist, a clean sheet and a 4-0 win was a super effort," the Australian wrote on his own website.
"Al Ahli were favoured for the title and we have just sent a strong message out to our competitors that we are not letting go of this title easily. Clean sheets to a defender are like goals to a striker and I have had four in a row now. It's a good habit to get into.
"It's a great start, however, it's imperative we continue this form. We can always improve and have the potential to do so. If we keep pushing each other then we will be rewarded."
