To get an impression of the footballers, Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet is planning a week-long training camp this month for the national team, leaving three key players, Yeasin Khan, Hemanta Vincent Biswas and Zahid Hossain eagerly waiting to prove themselves and return to the national fold for the Asian Cup qualifying playoffs against Bhutan.

Bangladesh's first attempt to advance into the final round of the Asian Cup Qualifiers was vanquished by a 6-0 aggregate defeat to Tajikistan last month, and now Bangladesh look forward to availing the second opportunity by taking on Bhutan in September and October.

The 0-5 drubbing in Dushanbe exposed the failures of Lodewijk de Kruif's charges, namely the lack of defensive organisation and cohesion in the midfield. The absence of defender Yeasin, midfielder Hemanta and winger Zahid was thought to be the key reason behind a weakened team.

Now that Saintfiet is planning to conduct the camp from July 12 with some 35-40 players including the 12 players he has already selected, Hemanta, Zahid and Yeasin are waiting to return to the team by performing well in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League.

Hemanta is yet to play a single match of the season while Zahid missed the Federation Cup as he accompanied his cancer-stricken father to India. Yeasin, meanwhile, is still severing a six-month suspension which will be lifted on August 2.  

“I have been out of action since the middle of February, but now I am ready to make a comeback,” said Hemanta, who had sustained a muscle injury during Bangladesh's match against Nepal in the SAFF Championship and later missed two international matches against Tajikistan in June.

“I am now gearing up for the Bangladesh Premier League and hopefully can draw the new coach's attention,” said the midfielder.

Yeasin, who is arguably the best centre-back in the country, is waiting for his suspension to end as well as get a recall from the national team.

“My father did not like the idea of appealing for exemption from punishment, so I did not do it. But I really felt bad not to be part of the national team in the last two international matches. Now I am ready to respond to the call after the punishment comes to an end on August 2,” said Yeasin, who is also known for his goal-poaching abilities from set-pieces.

Proven winger Zahid missed the whole of the World Cup qualifying campaign due to his knee injury before being drafted into the squad during the SAFF Championship and Bangabandhu Gold Cup, but he was later handed a one-year suspension on disciplinary grounds.

And although his punishment was lifted following an appeal, Zahid missed the home match against Tajikistan to accompany his father to India. 

Even though Zahid did not take part in the Federation Cup, the winger is eager to return to the national team.

BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag informed that Saintfiet would conduct the camp with 35-40 players to get an initial impression and he would also watch the premier league to select the final squad for the Bhutan ties.

“Saintfiet has already chosen some players after watching the semifinals and final of the Federation Cup and assistant coach Saiful Bari Titu will help him pick other players,” said Shohag.