KUALA LUMPUR: Just a month before the Super League kicks off, newly-promoted Kuala Lumpur have already been hit with a couple of blows.
Following assistant coach Rusdi Suparman's sudden departure, KL received news that key winger Naim Nazmi Zainuddin will be sidelined for at least six months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Naim, who made 24 appearances last year to help KL win the Premier League title, suffered the injury during Saturday's 1-0 friendly win over PKNS in Cheras.
After that game, former international striker Rusdi announced that he will not be taking up KL's offer of a contract extension and is believed to be heading for Premier League side Kuantan.
However, KL moved swiftly to hire former DRB-Hicom coach Chong Yee Fatt as Rusdi's replacement.
"I have to discuss with the management to see whether we need to find a replacement for Naim although we have other players who can play in his position," said KL coach Fabio Maciel.
"It is a blow for us and for him. It did not look serious at the time because he hurt himself when he was trying to get to the ball. But he's a strong kid and I hope he recovers fast."
KL are well covered on the flanks with newcomers Zaquan Adha Radzak and Indra Putra Mahayuddin able to play in the position as well as Ashri Chuchu, Hafiz Johar and Syafwan Syahlan.
Maciel is also looking to sign a central defender with KL yet to fill their Asean import quota, having been linked with Singapore's Baihakki Khaizan.
Baihakki, however, reportedly has received an offer from Saudi Arabian second division Jeddah Club though Maciel has not ruled out further negotiations with the defender.
"I will speak to him to see where he stands," said Maciel, who led KL to the Super League after an absence of five years.
Maciel also welcomed Yee Fatt, who was assistant coach at Perak last season, to the city side.
"I know him from when he was with Perak and he is a good coach," added Maciel.