East Bengal’s investor Emami Group announced a huge cash incentive of Rs 25 Lakh for the Kalinga Super Cup-winning Red-and-Gold brigade in the celebration function held on Thursday night. 

A day before the ISL derby against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan this announcement is expected to work as a big boost for the footballers revealed some of the team’s footballers and support staff on condition of anonymity. The team’s two latest signings, Victor Vasquez and Felicio Brown Forbes however will not be available in Saturday’s derby, to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium. 

It is learned that Vasquez’s visa has been arranged and he is expected to arrive in the city this week. Simultaneously, Souvik Chakrabarty, one of the dependable central midfielders will not also available in Saturday’s derby due to suspension. In this case, East Bengal will be trying to depend on Soul Crespo in the central midfield along with key man upfront Cleiton Silva as well as Hijaji in the central defense. 

East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat however does not seem bothered by the fact that he will not get Vasquez and Felicio Forbes. 

He commented in the media conference on Friday, "I am happy with our transfers in this window. But I am not looking forward to those who will not be available in Saturday's match. I have belief in those who are here." 

Incidentally, the team’s young promising striker Sayan Bannerjee has reportedly been registered for the remainder of the ISL. 

On the other hand, Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) may have the relief that Joni Kauko has passed the medical test and trained with full fitness. Now his participation in Saturday’s derby is depending on the team’s coach Antonio Lopez Habas finally. 

The Spanish coach might be in little embarrassment with the absence of its one of the key defenders, Ashish Rai. 

MBSG has also registered their three promising young footballers, Raj Basfore, Dipendu Biswas, and Amandeep Singh.