The UAE and Al Jazira have been dealt a blow after key defensive midfielder Khamis Esmail was ruled out for two months with a knee injury.

Esmail, 26, damaged the lateral ligament during a heavy challenge with Al Wahda’s Denilson during Friday’s 3-2 victory in the Arabian Gulf League.

The Emirates Club youth product is definitely ruled out of October 8’s key 2018 World Cup qualifier in Saudi Arabia and could miss up to eight top-flight and Arabian Gulf Cup matches.

“Midfielder Khamis Esmail will miss training and matches over the next eight weeks after an injury in the lateral ligament in his right knee,” read a statement released by the Pride of Abu Dhabi yesterday.

“It is an injury that will need complete rest throughout the next two months, according to the team doctors.”

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In-form Al Ahli battler Majed Hassan is expected to continue in coach Mahdi Ali’s starting line-up during the vital Asian Football Confederation second-round match in Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City.

Meanwhile, the summer transfer window closed quietly yesterday as few deals were completed.

Newly-promoted Al Shaab reac-ted to their pointless AGL start by replacing summer signing Matias Donoso with Brazilian forward Vinicius.

The 22-year-old has joined on a one-season loan deal from Palmeiras, for whom he scored eight goals in 108 appearances.

Al Dhafra boosted their backline with a deal for Al Wasl’s Salem Masoud. The 30-year-old made 11 top-flight appearances for the Cheetahs last term.