India coach Bob Houghton.

NEW DELHI: India coach Bob Houghton is hopeful of getting his injured players fit for the AFC Challenge Cup 2008 to be played in Hyderabad from July 30 to August 10.

After the team’s arrival from Portugal on Wednesday, the Englishman told The Telegraph that the injured players were on the path to recovery.

“Surkumar Singh and Ajayan joined practice during the later stages of the Portugal tour,” Houghton said.

“Steven Dias, who has an ankle injury, is showing signs of improvement. There is still a fortnight left for the tournament. Things should be fine by then,” he added.

India failed to defend their South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship title last month due to injuries to at least six players. They lost in the final to co-hosts Maldives 1-0.

Regarding the 12-day tour of Portugal where India won all the three friendly games, he said: “There were excellent training facilities and it was a good experience for the team.”

The 60-year-old was confident of a good show by the hosts in the AFC Challenge Cup. “The team is shaping up well and has the capability to perform well in the Hyderabad tournament,” he said.

India were drawn in Group A along side defending champions Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan in the AFC Challenge Cup and will begin their campaign against Afghanistan on July 30 at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium.