Al Jazira boss Marcel Keizer has insisted he will not gamble on the long-term fitness of star men Ali Mabkhout and Leonardo, even though an ‘Al Clasico’ contest with Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain awaits on Saturday.

Unbeaten rivals meet at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium for a fixture which should act as an early title marker.

The visitors’ hopes have been impinged by lingering knocks for prolific UAE striker Mabkhout – who was pulled out of the recent international break – and Brazilian winger Leonardo, who has struck three times in five top-flight fixtures upon his return after a season away on loan at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr.

“Ali Mabkhout and Leonardo have suffered various injuries and they’ve been absent from the group exercises in the past few days,” said ex-Ajax tactician Keizer, who oversaw a 2-0 loss against the Boss on October 10 when depleted sides met in the Arabian Gulf Cup.

“They are working intensively at the moment with the medical team, because they have a great desire to play. But the safety of the players is a priority for the club.”

A total of six Jazira players – Ahmed Rabea replaced club-mate Mabkhout – and seven Al Ain stars – including injured playmaker Rayan Yaslam – were part of the UAE squad, at some stage, for this month’s 1-1 draw with Honduras and 2-0 loss to Venezuela.

This contingent only returned from Barcelona on Wednesday.

Al Ain supremo Zoran Mamic – who oversaw a 2-2 draw at promoted Fujairah before the stoppage – promised to make the most of the limited time he has had with his leading men.

He said: “It is always a challenge after every international break to get the players in the right degree of readiness.

“It is not easy during two days, but we are required to focus even more to get all three points.”

This clash pits the two most-recent champions against each other.

Keizer was, however, eager to downplay the ramifications of this early season fixture.

He said: “The winner will receive a very significant boost during the next rounds of the league competition, but the points will not play any role in determining who finishes first at the end of the season.”