Al Ain will go on an unstoppable charge in 2015 to claim the Arabian Gulf League title when their star names are finally all available, according to striker Asamoah Gyan.
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The Boss are tied on 27 points with leaders Al Jazira as the division stops for January’s Asian Cup, despite playing a game less, and there have been plentiful hurdles for Zlatko Dalic’s men to reach this stage.
A run to the AFC Champions League semi-finals disrupted the start of the campaign, with Monday’s 1-1 draw at fellow high-flyers Al Shabab the first of two games in hand.
Creative heartbeat Omar Abdulrahman has only played twice in the first half of the season because of knee and ankle problems, three- time reigning AGL top scorer Gyan has missed a third of the fixtures through suspension and injury, while lively forward Jires Kembo- Ekoko has been hampered by a knock for some time.
Ghana captain Gyan admitted he would be “praying for the health of the players” during the month-long break to help ensure the Boss are at full-strength when play resumes.
“We have a break now, with some of the players going away with their international teams,” the 29-year-old said following Monday’s 1-1 draw at Al Shabab.
“By the end of February, everybody will be in tip-top shape. It is not going to be easy next year, but I think we will get our full squad back and that is the most important thing. I am praying for the health of the players, for them to be injury-free. I am sure when we have a full team we can win the league. I was suspended [following a red card in the ACL semi-final, second leg against Al Hilal], which was a bit frustrating. Then having injuries here and there.
“I haven’t been myself during the first half. [But] I am still going strong, and know what I can do when I am fit.
“I am sure by next year, the second round, everything will be fine.”
Jazira’s summer signing Mirko Vucinic has stolen the limelight from Gyan in the opening months, doubling his tally to sit at the head of the scoring charts on 16.
Gyan insisted he was not surprised by the three-time Serie A winner’s success in the Middle East since switching from Juventus.
“I have scored eight goals so far, which people didn’t think I could do because of frustration as my head wasn’t good,” Gyan said. “Next year, I will hopefully come back strong – watch out.
“Mirko is a great guy and a good striker. It is a real tough competition.
“When he came here, I knew what he was capable of as I played against him in Italy [Vucinic for Roma and Gyan for Udinese]. No doubt, he is leading the top scorer chart.
“I am not here to challenge, I try to do what I do best and at the end of the day we will see.”