The national footballers today enter the last week of their preparations for the SAFF Football Championship which begins in Pakistan on December 7.

The defending champions' training is now going on in full swing at BKSP under Argentine coach Diego Cruciani whose worries about a few minor injuries following a warm-up match last week was over yesterday when he got back all the 24 players at practice.

Bangladesh have already played two warm-up games against local clubs Mohammedan and Abahani, but their chances to play another before their departure to Karachi looks remote as Brothers Union would not be available for Wednesday's proposed exhibition match.

"It would have been better had we played another match, especially as we are expected to reduce the team to 20 by Wednesday. But teams are busy due to the ongoing National League," told assistant coach Jubair Nipu on Sunday over phone.

"A few players including Aminul were hurt during the last game (against Abahani) but every one has recovered. We are still looking for a team to play a match but we will play here at the BKSP only.

"The players have achieved 70 per cent of the aimed fitness level set by Cruciani and hope to do better during the last week. We are now working on formation and game planning. In the last three four days, we will work on set-piece situations like freekick, corner kick or penalties," added Nipu.

With Arman being the dead-ball specialist, the management is also considering centre-back Sujan and midfielder Matiur Munna as his backups.

It looked certain that Tarek, one of the three goalkeepers, would be dropped but the Argentine coach might change his previous thoughts about keeping only three centre-backs. All four available stoppers are in form and it could result in elimination of a fullback between veteran Parvez Babu and rising Wali Faisal. The experience of Parvez would speak for him. The axes are also certain to fall on midfielder Faisal Mahmud and striker Emily as Tipu looks likely to win the race to join Alfaz, Farhad and Kanchan as the fourth striker.