Sharjah are sweating on the fitness of star playmaker Igor Coronado ahead of Friday’s Arabian Gulf Cup quarter-final versus Al Ain.

Coronado, 27, is the reigning Arabian Gulf League Foreign Player of the Year and has continued his stellar form in 2019/20. His potential absence could have a serious detrimental effect on Abdulaziz Al Anbari’s men at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

“The preparations are good and we hope to provide a good level,” said the UAE top flight’s only Emirati boss.

“Igor [Coronado] has a minor injury and we will consider the possibility of his participation. The break was helpful despite the team’s good rhythm before the league stopped.”

Meanwhile, Al Wahda have been backed to prevail in the Abu Dhabi derby versus Al Jazira even though they have suffered a lengthy list of withdrawals.

Injury and UAE duty at the Gulf Cup has denied tactician Manolo Jimenez many of the 2017/18 winners’ leading players.

The Spaniard said: “This is an incredible difficult confrontation, which also comes at the beginning of a marathon period.

“Despite the absences of Ismail Matar, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Al Menhali and Khalil Al Hammadi, the team will now play each game as a final and the goal is to win only. This is without fear of the competing teams and with full respect for them.”

All four ties are set to be played on Friday. The other matches see holders Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club host Al Wasl and Madjid Bougherra’s Fujairah – in through a technicality – welcome Alvaro Negredo’s Al Nasr.