Kerala Blasters FC host NorthEast United FC in their fourth home encounter of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday. Last year’s finalists are still smarting from the 5-2 loss meted out to them by FC Goa in their previous match. They have never lost at home to the Highlanders, and will be eager for their first win of the season. Speaking to the media during the pre-match press conference was Kerala’s head coach, Rene Meulensteen.

He offered some sad news for Blasters fans to get started with by revealing that Dimitar Berbatov will not take part in the fixture because of injury. “It’s (Berbatov’s miss) a loss for sure,” Meulensteen bemoaned. “He gives us quality and composure. We were growing with every game. The way that the last game panned out after he left depicts his quality. Now it is a case of accepting the fact that he is not there and now we need to look at the squad and make sure that all the players can step up to the plate.”

On the brighter side, he revealed both Iain Hume and Wes Brown would be part of the squad for the fixture. “Iain Hume has resumed training this week,” he said. “Obviously, when you have been out for a while, you will be short on match fitness, but he will definitely be a part of the squad. Same for Wes, he has been improving, improving and improving. He will be in the squad.”

When asked if he is feeling the pressure after Kerala’s poor start to the season, the Dutchman said: “Every manager is under the pressure of delivering results; the only problem is you can only control what you can control, which is training, selection, the tactics. You cannot control the variables that have an effect on the performances and results. If the results have been bad and the performances have been bad, then it is a problem. I don’t think that is the case. We have got plenty of quality in the squad. Everybody is desperate to get the first win. When you are winning, the confidence comes in. People talk about team work and team spirit, but believe me that there is only one medicine and that is winning. I can only do my best and ask myself if I have done my utmost to prepare the players.”

Commenting on his opponent’s NorthEast, Meulensteen added: “Marcinho can find a pass but also score a goal. They (Marcinho and Danilo Lopes) are very good at running in behind players. So, they can cause a threat. The wingers are also very good dribblers and they can put in a good cross, so it’s not just those two players who can cause a threat. We have to make sure that we are on our guard and not allow them to create any chances.”