PKNP release Ghanaian Abbey after long-term injury

PETALING JAYA: PKNP have axed Ghanaian attacking midfielder Thomas Abbey from the squad due to a long-term injury.

The Perak-based club are expected to announce a new signing – Brazilian Ramon – as replacement before their next Super League match against Kuala Lumpur at the Cheras Football Stadium on Sunday.

Abbey, who fractured his metatarsal two weeks ago, will be sidelined for at least eight weeks and it could hamper PKNP’s performance in the league.

The club side are currently ninth in the 12-team standings with 12 points and are one point away from the relegation zone.

PKNP coach Abu Bakar Fadzim said he had no choice but to drop Abbey with eight more matches to play in the Super League.

“Abbey did well with the team before the injury. He might only be back in the team for the Malaysia Cup but we need to escape relegation to qualify for the Malaysia Cup,” said Abu Bakar.

“We have no choice because we need all our players to be fit if we want to stay in the Super League next season.”

“Our target this season is to remain in the Super League after making our debut last season. Being without a key player for eight weeks will be difficult for a small team like us.”

The club side’s other imports are Filipino Amani Aguinaldo, Yashir Pinto of Palestine and Brazilians Giancarlo Lopes and Pedro Victor.

Abu Bakar said PKNP were lucky to hold Selangor to a 1-1 last week as they had only had two imports – Pinto and Victor – available for the match.

“We were without the suspended Aguinaldo and Giancarlo against Selangor and we struggled. We got a point from that game and I hope the players gained a good experience from it,” he said.