Maccabi Haifa Considers Registering Novakovic as Trialist Ahead of Toto Cup Match

Maccabi Haifa is set to face Bnei Sakhnin on Saturday in the final group stage match of the Toto Cup. The team, coached by Barak Bachar, arrives following their first win against Ironi Tiberias. Defender and midfielder Tsunami, who recently recovered from a mild concussion, will return to the starting lineup. The status of Manuel Benson will be decided after the final training session, though he has been training fully so far.

Two players, Ali Mohamed and Omri Glazer, remain doubtful. Glazer, who was involved in a minor car accident on the way to training and did not practice, is likely to rest on Saturday. Mohamed has returned to training, but the coaching staff is debating whether to include him in the squad or give him rest; he is not expected to start, with Navot Ratner anticipated to get playing time.

Additionally, Serbian-American striker Andrea Novakovic, who has not yet been registered with the Israeli Football Association due to the foreign player quota, may be registered as a trialist. Novakovic recently recovered from a virus, and the coaching staff aims to integrate him before the league begins. Guy Melamed, who started the last match but suffered a cramp, may also be rested for this game.