INJURY-HIT Eastern will be missing at least two of their experienced expatriates when they face J.League champions Verdy Kawasaki in the Asian Club Championship first-round second-leg in Tokyo tomorrow.
Eastern have ruled out central defender Richard Lant who failed to take time off from his teaching job for the match at the National Stadium.
In addition, Australian utility player Brian MacNicol injured his right ankle ligaments in a clash with Club sweeper Tony Sealy in their 4-0 win at Mongkok Stadium.
Eastern football team chairman Bruce Mok Bong-tung said yesterday the 27-year-old would be rested for the match but he would still travel to Tokyo with his teammates.
'We will take MacNicol with us so that he can instruct the younger Chinese players in Japan,' Mok added.
MacNicol will watch the game from the stand with striker Dale Tempest who has injured his right knee.