Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: New import Rhys David Weston led the Sabah M-League players for a quick circuit run on the first day of their pre-season training session at the Tun Fuad Park jogging track in Bukit Padang on Monday morning.
Two foreign imports, one from France and the other from Nigeria who are looking for a place in the team also showed up together with the three Peninsula players who were already signed.
All the players managed to complete the runs within the set limited time with Rhys and Sabri Sahar leading the pack with their superior fitness.
However, David McCreery's earlier plan to use the training session in the afternoon to gauge the imports' abilities at the Likas Sports Complex was washed away by the heavy downpour.
Sabah are currently still looking for a striker to fill up the only available place in the foreign import quota after the previous four strikers who came here last week were sent packing after failing to impress the coaches.
Meanwhile, Sabah Football Association Deputy President Datuk Lawrence Gimbang said they have almost identified the 25 players for next season.
"Of course there may still be minor changes at the last minute but we have more or less settled for the names unless something special crops up."
Gimbang also said that the official signing ceremony will hopefully take place in front of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman who is also the President of Sabah FA.
It was understood among them is a former State defender who is making a comeback to the team including a few other ex-President Cuppers.
The management has also confirmed the recruitment of six players from other teams and they include 27-year-old midfielder Fazilidin Khalid who played for Selangor last season, former Harimau Muda A striker Ahmad Aminuddin Shahrudin who last played for Felda and another striker from T-Team Khairul Izwan Khalid.
Three other players - one a leftback and two goalkeepers will only report for duty on December 1 as their current contract only ends at the end of the month.
