Apprehensions about Bhaichung Bhutia’s absence at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday-the season’s first Kolkata derby-may take the sheen away from the much-awaited Mohun Bagan-East Bengal clash. Bhutia, who recently called it one of the most important matches of his career in the light of his move to East Bengal after a long legal battle against Mohun Bagan, aggravated a hamstring injury during Friday’s practice.

The 33-year-old didn’t practise at the East Bengal ground on the match-eve, but he wasn’t too far from the flashbulbs. “I am undergoing treatment now. Nobody wants to skip a match of this importance, it’s a very crucial tie. I am trying my best to recover and play tomorrow,” Bhutia said.

The question mark over Bhutia’s participation apart, though, the East Bengal camp is happy with the news of midfielder Alvito d’Cunha’s return. “Both Alvito and Rennedy Singh have recovered fully. That’s good for us. Let’s see who starts tomorrow,” said coach Subhash Bhowmick.

“Our substitute players are ready for the match if Bhaichung doesn’t get to play tomorrow,” maintained Bhowmick. “Having said that, I am hopeful that Bhaichung will eventually be fit to play by tomorrow morning,” the East Bengal coach said. The coach also put a part of the blame for Bhutia’s injury on the nature of the artificial turf laid out at the YBK, explaining that he had aggravated the hamstring problem during East Bengal’s match against JCT at the venue.

If Bhutia manages to pull through, the Jose Barreto-Bhutia battle may make for a mouth-watering clash. Having played together for the green-and-maroons for a long time, the two will take each other on at the YBK on Sunday.

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