Calcutta: East Bengal's Korean star Do Dong Hyun was asked to leave the team's practice on Wednesday by coach Biswajit Bhattacharya after he committed several mistakes.

The incident occurred during a practice match between the players, and the coach, apparently upset with Dong's casual attitude, asked him to leave the ground.

The matter was amicably settled after practice and club officials cited miscommunication as the reason behind it.

Biswajit, however, didn't wish to read much into it. "Dong is coming off an injury. Actually, the East Bengal ground surface is on the harder side and I didn't wish to risk him... So he was taken off," said the coach.

Dong has been a star for East Bengal during their Calcutta Football League triumph earlier this season. He had scored two goals, both from free-kicks, during the last meeting between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. He, however, has failed to find his form in the two I-League matches so far.

While Mohun Bagan have received the Sony Norde boost ahead of Saturday's Derby, East Bengal are still unsure about their French recruit Bernard Mendy's availability. The visa issues are yet to be sorted out. Club officials are hoping he will arrive by Friday evening.

East Bengal have already emailed Mendy's papers to the All India Football Federation, paving the way for his participation in the Derby.

Biswajit, though, has his plans in place. "I am not thinking about the players whom I won't get, I have full faith in the ones who are available. We will prepare our strategy accordingly."

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan suffered a jolt as forward Balwant Singh suffered a groin injury. But coach Sanjay Sen was hopeful he would be available for the Derby.