Injury worries for ATM ahead of cup clash

By ESPNSTAR.com staff

The Gladiators have enjoyed a fine start to the Malaysia Super League season and are currently second on the table after picking up ten points from their opening five games.

Their good form continued on Tuesday as they cruised to a 2-0 home win over FELDA United, meaning they head into Friday's clash at the Shah Alam Stadium high on confidence.

However, Sathianathan has admitted that he might be forced to field a weakened side against the Red Giants given first-team players Amirizdwan Taj Tajuddin and Irwan Fadzli Idrus are both struggling with injuries.

"We have played six games this month and a lot of the players are tired and some are carrying injuries," he said, according to the New Straits Times.

"I'll have to keep my fingers crossed they can recover soon. But it looks like Irwan won't be able to play and I kept Taj out [from Tuesday's game] because I didn't want him to aggravate his injury.

"He's [Amirizdwan] also been called up to the [Malaysia] national team [for the upcoming 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Qatar] and he's really looking forward to it, so we have to manage him properly."

Nonetheless, despite having to make a few changes to his starting XI for Friday's game, Sathianathan insists his side are looking to succeed in the FA Cup this year after last year's disappointing display.

"I'll have to make some changes as it [the game against Selangor] will be our seventh match this year," he added.

"We will be playing against a strong opponent and of course we would like to win the cup after going out in the first round last year."

Since taking over of ATM at the end of 2011, Sathianathan has enjoyed much success with them and led them to the Premier League title last year, as well as the final of the Malaysia Cup.