I League : Bright Lukeman likely to miss East Bengal’s opener against Sporting Clube de Goa

Kolkata , December 24 : Kingfisher East Bengal’s new foreign recruit Bright Lukeman is likely to miss I League opener against Sporting Clube de Goa . The Ghanaian is likely to arrive ahead of  the club’s second tie against  Mumbai FC , since the embassy will be closed for Christmas .Versatile winger Sanju Pradhan has  been signed for East Bengal , the club which he played for five seasons back . Sanju has donned the Red and Gold jersey from 2008-2013  . He even was handed the captaincy in 2011.

Sanju was once considered to be one of the most gifted footballer of India. He won almost all the major honours except the I-league for East Bengal. Sanju is now in Kochi with the national team to take part in the SAFF Cup. East Bengal coach Biswajit Bhattacharya have to rely a lot on Sanju’s form this season . t

East Bengal officials have also been successful in striking a deal with  midfielder Shehnaz Singh, who was one of the main architect of Mohun Bagan’s I-league triumph last year . With East Bengal’s first match scheduled on 10^thJanuary there is a little time left for the team to prepare. Sehnaj was a regular for Delhi Dynamos this season in the ISL . Meanwhile  North East United custodian TP Rehenesh has also also been roped  in  by East Bengal to bolster their squad. Rehenesh has been absolutely brilliant in the recently concluding ISL season two for North East United .With the likes of Abhra Mondal and Dibyendu Sarkar , the goal keeping unit looks formidable .

Coach Biswajit Bhatttacharjee is trying various combinations in the practice matches he has been playing for the past few days. East Bengal have defeated CESC 3-0 in a practice match held at the Howrah Stadium on Thursday . Dong,Ranty and Prahlad were the scorers for the Red and Golds .

Ranty Martins was quite excited to be partnering Lukeman up front  ,”  When I was playing for Dempo I had a good understanding with Beto. I would like to recreate my understanding with Dong and Lukeman . As a professional footballer , I hope he will be quick to adjust to the conditions here .”