Climax, Samir recovering from injuries

MUMBAI, JULY 28
The Indian national team will play two friendlies this week but three of the 28 players in the camp shall not participate due to injury concerns.
With Bhaichung Bhutia returning to the country with thyroid problems and Sunil Chhetri on duty with Kansas City Wizards, the 30-member squad was already reduced to 28.
Climax Lawrence and Samir Naik haven’t been training due to their injuries and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is awaiting reports from Portugal to arrive on the Dempo duo.
Baljit Sahni, who is attending the national camp for the first time under Bob Houghton, has injured his shin bone during practice and hasn’t practiced for the last four days.
The Punjab lad, who scored several goals for JCT last season was one of the brightest talents in the I-League, got injured during one of the practice sessions.
“The doctor has advised me a week’s rest and possibly start training from August 1,” informed Sahni.
Come August, India shall play at least 10 practice games with Portuguese Second Division teams while training at the Sporting Lisbon Academy or Academia de Alcochete, which is known to have had the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo amongst their students.
In September, the team will travel to Bangkok for a friendly fixture with Thailand on the 4th, following which the same sides will face each other again at Delhi’s Ambedkar Stadium.
India are ranked 132 in the latest list of FIFA rankings which were released after the 2010 World Cup.