Nigerian striker Eugene Grey is all set to replace Theodore Sunday for the second phase of the I-League. Sunday has already sought release from Mohammedan Sporting following a knee injury that has rendered him hors de combat for the rest of the season.

Grey, who has the experience of playing in the National League, seems to be Md Sporting’s only choice at the moment after they failed to rope in Ernest Jeremiah.

The latter is currently playing in Malaysia and it is well neigh impossible to have him on board in two day’s notice. Md Sporting would play against Mumbai FC at Cooperage Stadium on January 20. They would be leaving for Mumbai on Sunday.

Md Sporting coach Sabbir Ali selected Grey after he watched him in an exhibition match a few days back. The lanky striker was impressive while playing against the black-and-white brigade. Ali admitted that replacing someone of Sunday’s caliber was a tough ask and Jeremiah would have been a better choice. But he has no choice as the time is very short.

“I don’t have enough time to go through a selection trial before selecting a replacement for Sunday. Anyway, Grey is opportunistic in the penetrative zone and if fed with quality passes, he can be handy,” Ali said.

To make the matter worse, defenders Anit Ghosh and Shiekh Azim have picked injuries and will miss the match against Mumbai FC. The match between the two teams in the first leg was postponed following terror strikes in Mumbai. So, the encounter on January 20 will mark the end of the first phase of the I-League before the second phase starts on January 23. The black-and-white brigade will start their second phase campaign with the match against Air India.

Being precariously placed at 11th in the league standings, Md Sporting’s top priority will be to stave off the relegation. With Sunday out of the squad, Ali is banking on young midfielder from Mizoram Tezo and Nigerian striker Mike Okoro to turn the corner. “Okoro is in good shape. If Tezo can feed the strikers well, we will create chances,” Ali said.