Struggling Mohun Bagan hoping to turn tide

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan will be desperate to return to winning ways after their hattrick of draws when they ace Shillong Lajong FC in a round 24 return leg I-League clash at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday.

Three consecutive draws in their last outings meant that Mohun Bagan are all set to finish another season without a trophy. Mohun Bagan would be eyeing full points from their remaining three matches for a top five finish. The home side will have a full-strength squad at their disposal with the exception of Rakesh Masih who pulled a muscle in today`s practice session. Anwar Ali stay all set to return to the backline while Sunil Chettri, Hudson d`Lima, Jewel Raja and Manish Bhargav are likely to start as the four midfielders. Upfront, Jose Ramirez Barreto will partner the talismanic Odafa Okolie. Mohun Bagan striker Ashim Biswas hoped to finish the season on a high. "We intend to win all our remaining matches and finish in the top-half," he said. Shillong Lajong Coach Pradhyum Reddy underlined the importance of winning full points to avoid any slim chance of relegation. "Arithmetically, we have not saved relegation yet. If we get a result here, it will put an end to all doubts," Reddy said. "They are a big team. We need to remember they will be playing in Kolkata. But we are banking on our strengths," he said. The Kolkata giants lie on fifth place (40 points from 23 matches) while Lajong are placed 10th (27/23). Their last outing had ended goalless. PTI