ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters defender Wes Brown doubtful for clash against Jamshedpur FC

The Kerala Blasters had a slow start to the fourth edition of the ISL as they played out a 0-0 draw against ATK in what was a replay of last year's final. Both the teams were hit by injury blows ahead of the game as former Premier League stars Wes Brown and Robbie Keane both missed out on the action.

Kerala Blasters head coach René Meulensteen had said before the last match that his team is fully fit to play against ATK and Brown, who had picked up a knock in pre-season, is also fit to play the season starter. However, the former Manchester United man missed the match and Meulensteen later stated that he was not included in the squad as a precaution.

Ahead of the second match against Jamshedpur FC, René Meulensteen spoke to the press and said, "Wes Brown has picked up training this week and is working on strengthening." He added that the team is careful about the injury and does not want Brown to aggravate the Injury as the Blasters have a long season ahead.

He said, "We don't want to lose players for three or four weeks and we'd rather wait and be careful than sort of gamble and lose him." When asked if Wes Brown will play tomorrow the Dutchman said, "If he would be playing, I still won't tell you. The players are entitled to know first."

He added that the technical staff is assessing Brown's situation daily and will take the decision based on that. The manager would certainly wait for another week to have a fully fit Brown back before putting him in the starting lineup.

Sandesh Jhingan and Nemanja Laki?-Peši? had a great game in the centre of the defence against ATK, earning a clean sheet. The same pair is expected to start once again against Jamshedpur as Brown recovers from his Injury.