ATK’s Luis Garcia and Llibert Arnal during a training session, at the Salt Lake Stadium, on Monday. A Telegraph picture

Calcutta: A four-match winless streak, lack of goals, and injuries to key players… Things are not looking good for Atletico de Kolkata. Agreed they are still on top of the Indian Super League table with 13 points from eight matches, but ATK seem to be running short of ideas. There is a sense of desperation too in the ATK camp, of late, as the team is feeling the pressure of delivering.

So on Tuesday, when they host North East United FC (NUFC) in an ISL match at the Salt lake Stadium, ATK will be going all out for three points. By any means log three points seems to be the refrain.

Cavin Lobo, who struck a stunning brace against FC Goa (ATK’s last win on October 23), has been ruled out for a month because of a ligament tear, while Bishwajit Saha is nursing a knee injury. Even Jofre Mateu, who was the Man of the Match against Chennaiyin FC, is also not 100 per cent fit.

Fikru Teferra, who started with a bang as the single striker, has somehow fizzled out since coming back from the two-match ban. Fikru missed a couple of chances against Chennaiyin FC and his loss of form is a big worry for the Sourav Ganguly co-owned franchise.

Manager Antonio Lopez Habas may start with N Mohanraj as the left-back. The former India international hasn’t played much of top-class football in recent times. So whether Habas will go with him in a vital match like Tuesday’s remains to be seen.

The problem is Habas does not have much option at the back-four. The defence, which was compact in the initial part of the tournament, has also started crumbling following Denzil Franco’s injury. His replacement Kingshuk Debnath has come a cropper and it will be very unlikely that Habas will give him a start. Llibert Arnal may also get a look-in if Habas decide not to take a risk with Jofre.

The Spaniard started with Baljit Singh Saini as right back against Chennaiyin FC and the East Bengal striker did not disappoint him. Unless something dramatic happens, Baljit will retain his place.

“We are confident of a better show on Tuesday,” Arnal said at the media conference on Monday. “There is a lot of talk about ATK not scoring enough goals. But tell me one thing… Who are getting goals? It’s a very closely fought league and goals won’t come that easily. You have grind to get your name on the score sheet,” he said.

ATK winger Mohammed Rafique, who was served a show-cause notice for playing a office match without taking team management’s permission, attended Monday’s practice session.

“He has apologised to the team management for his unprofessional behaviour,” an ATK official said.

NUFC are also going through a winless streak and will be badly looking for three points. ATK’s second of the three wins came against the same side when they had a spirited 2-0 away win, but those were early days. NUFC have a more settled look now and it won’t be easy for them.

“We are ready for the match. We have a confident outfit and even though it’s an away game and the stadium looks very imposing we will not be scared,” said James Keene

With Spanish World Cupper Joan Capdevila holding their backline, they have one of the best defence along with Kerala Blasters FC and both the teams have conceded the least number of goals (six) in the eight-team league.

Upfront NUFC bank on Koke. He is playing very well even though missed a simple chance against Pune FC the other day. Certainly Koke is the man NUFC will be looking forward to for the goals.