Al Ahli are riding a wave of momentum, having won five consecutive matches since returning from the international break, yet the injury list threatening to undermine that run is becoming impossible to ignore. The most pressing concern surrounds the sheer volume of absentees, with seven players currently sidelined through injury or suspension. Defenders Merih Demiral and Edouard Mendy, midfielder Winderson Galeno, and forward Nayef Mosaad are among those missing, a situation that drew sharp public criticism from Saudi sports media. Despite those absences, Al Ahli beat Qatari side Al-Gharafa 2-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, with Ivan Toney and Matheus Goncalves scoring to move the club to seven points and second place in the West group standings. That result extended a run that also included a 4-1 Saudi Pro League victory over Al Khalij, a match that generated its own controversy after Toney's opening goal was questioned by the losing side's coach. Off the pitch, the club's search for a sporting director continues to generate turbulence, with Albanian candidate Igli Tare linked to the role despite a contested record at Lazio and Milan. The most alarming off-pitch development, though, may be reports linking Toney himself to a move back to England, with Newcastle United said to be interested in the striker who has scored 13 league goals this season. Al Ahli, fifth in the Saudi Pro League with 21 points from 10 games, travel to Al Shabab on October 30.