Ranchi Rhinos unsure about Moritz Fuerste’s availability for Delhi Waveriders match

Ranchi Rhinos captain Moritz Fuerste is a doubtful starter for their eighth league game against Delhi Waveriders at Delhi on Wednesday. The German playmaker missed Rhinos’ last two games against Sahara Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Dabur Mumbai Magicians, which the red-yellow brigade won by 3-1 and 2-1 margins respectively.

In fact, Fuerste last played Rhinos’ last match against Uttar Pradesh Wizards on January 26th which was their home game – where Fuerste gave his side the lead in the 27th minute, tapping home a hit from Birendra Lakra from the 25-yard line.

The Rhinos have shown that they have coped pretty well without the German midfielder, pulling off back-to-back wins in Lucknow and Ranchi. They have looked solid in the midfield with England’s Ashley Jackson shouldering all the responsibilities of a seasoned campaigner and guiding the Indian young midfield triumvirate of Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh and Manpreet Singh nicely.

According to Ranchi Rhinos’ management, Fuerste was having an upset stomach on account of which he had to give his team’s last two matches a miss.

Rhinos’ South African coach Gregg Clarke is likely to wait until the start of the Wednesday’s match before taking a call on his availability.

The availability of the 2012 FIH Men’s Player of the Year award winner will further shore up the Rhinos midfield as they bid to snap the unbeaten run of Delhi Waveriders, who are sitting at the top of the tree with 32 points from seven matches.

Ranchi Rhinos are lying second logging 27 points from as many matches.

The match would also be an opportunity for Rhinos to exact sweet revenge for their narrow 4-5 defeat to Waveriders in their home clash on January 23rd.