The 15-day national football camp ahead of the upcoming AFC Challenge Cup didn’t get off to a very healthy start today, with as many as 10 players sitting out of training on the first day at the Ambedkar Stadium. Among those who didn’t get a work-out was skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, who is recovering from a shoulder injury.

“Baichung, Surkumar, Ajayan, NS Manju, Steven Dias and Rennedy Singh missed the training session as they are recovering from injuries,” Indian coach Bob Houghton said after the session. “Mahesh Gawli, Sameer Naik and Sandeep Nandy didn’t practice because of fever,” he added.

The players are expected to be fit in time for the team’s exposure tour to Portugal next month, where they are scheduled to play four friendly games. Of the 31 players at this camp, 26 will travel with the side to Portugal.

And while all players should be available by then, Bhutia admitted that their absence in the initial stages would affect preparations.

“Yes it is certainly affecting the team in the practice session as the juniors are not getting to train with senior players,” Bhutia said.

Meanwhile, Houghton reiterated that professional football in India did not have place for tournaments such as the Santosh Trophy, saying the next generation of India footballers could only grow out of the professional structure. “The only place from where we can get bench strength is from the I-League.”