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Bhutia fighting to be fit ahead of match against Dempo

His side in the drop zone of the I-League and struggling with a 13-match winless streak, East Bengal icon player Bhaichung Bhutia, who is down with a hamstring injury, is fighting to be fit ahead of their match.

Kolkata: His side in the drop zone of the I-League and struggling with a 13-match winless streak, East
Bengal icon player Bhaichung Bhutia, who is down with a hamstring injury, is fighting to be fit ahead of their match against title aspirants Dempo. The India captain has begun training under Australian fitness and nutrition expert Monica Ahluwalia in his bid to be fit as early as possible. "I am trying to recover as soon as possible. Things are better now. Maybe in another two weeks time, I should be fit and would resume my training with East Bengal," Bhutia has said earlier. Monica, who had earlier worked with Sydney FC, said: "I am treating most of the players and working on their diet, fitness and injury maintenance..." It has been an initiative of the Bhutia-led Football Players Association of India (FPAI) that has roped in Monica who will stay here for some time to help out the other footballers as well. It has been learnt that a letter from the FPAI has been circulated to all the major clubs in India inviting interested players to get vital tips and suggestions regarding sports injuries and nutrition from the woman herself. East Bengal are currently in Kuwait for their AFC Cup return leg match against Al Qadsia tomorrow while after their return they will face Dempo in their I-League round 20 match on April 11. On the I-League standings, East Bengal are currently placed 11th and are struggling to stave off a relegation. PTI