Mohun Bagan injury update: Ashique Kuruniyan injured, Petratos out of Punjab clash in ISL 2024-25
Mohun Bagan injury update: Ashique Kuruniyan injured, Petratos out of Punjab clash in ISL 2024-25
Mohun Bagan Super Giant suffered yet another setback as winger Ashique Kuruniyan sustained a leg injury, casting doubt over his availability for the Indian Super League (ISL) match against Punjab FC on December 26.
Kuruniyan, who missed most of last season due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, made his return in October, featuring briefly as a substitute in his team’s 3-0 victory over Mohammedan Sporting. Since then, he has started only one game, against NorthEast United earlier this month.
Sportstar understands that Kuruniyan injured his right leg during practice on Monday, and the timeline for his recovery remains unclear.
Jose Molina’s side, already grappling with fitness concerns, recently suffered a 1-2 defeat to FC Goa and is now facing the potential unavailability of forward Dimitrios Petratos and midfielder Greg Stewart for the match against Punjab.
Stewart, who has previously won both the ISL Cup and Shield with different teams – Mumbai City FC and Jamshedpur FC – has been pivotal for Mohun Bagan this season, contributing five assists and a goal in eight matches. However, recurring injury issues have sidelined him for much of the campaign since November. He was reduced to a spectator during the Goa match as the Gaurs defeated the league leader at home.
Stewart did not train with the first team on Monday and focussed on his rehab alone. Molina will take a call on his availability only before training on Tuesday.
Petratos, meanwhile, experienced discomfort after the Goa match and is expected to be sidelined for at least seven days, ruling him out of the Punjab fixture and leaving his availability for the home game against Hyderabad FC on January 2 in doubt.
The absence of a foreign No. 10, whether Stewart or Petratos, might prompt Molina to reshuffle his lineup. Options could include deploying Sahal Abdul Samad in a more advanced role or fielding Anirudh Thapa as an attacking midfielder.
Despite their injury woes, the Mariners remain at the top of the table with 26 points from 12 matches. Punjab, aiming to capitalise on its opponent’s depleted squad, will look to secure a top-six position in its final clash of 2024.
