Injury-hit Mohun Bagan Super Giant will be keen to return to winning ways and keep their qualifying hopes alive when they face a resurgent Odisha FC in the AFC Cup penultimate round Group D clash at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday.

Bagan had a positive start to their campaign, winning back-to-back matches. But they suffered setbacks in their last two matches, first dropping points and then losing 1-2 to Bashundhara Kings to slip to second spot in the standings.

Bagan are second behind Bashundhara on goal difference and they will end their group league campaign with an away clash against Maziya Sports and Recreation of Maldives on December 11.

“I know it’s a difficult match but we are confident of winning and going to the next round,” coach Juan Ferrando said at the pre-match news conference on Sunday.

The Spaniard will also have to rearrange his squad following the latest injuries to India forward Manvir Singh and Australian Dimitri Petratos.

Anwar Ali and Ashique Kuruniyan are already out injured. With Petratos missing, Ferrando will have to field five foreigners on Monday.

Manvir, the star of India’s 1-0 win over Kuwait, missed the World Cup Qualifier against Qatar last week due to a muscle injury picked up a day after reaching the Odisha capital.

“Injuries are part of the game. We have a big squad and this will give opportunities to other players. I don’t like to lose sleep over injuries. It’s better to use the energy in preparing the team,” said the Spaniard.

Bagan will have to be alert against Odisha FC’s forward Diego Mauricio.