Like the above two, many senior players are also facing the axe from the national squad simply for lack of form.

The situation is not at all healthy, especially when Bangladesh are due to start the defence of their SAFF crown in less than six months in Pakistan.

The Bangladesh Football Fede-ration (BFF) has already decided to start the camp after the end of the ongoing Premier Football League but the selection panel --featuring four BFF coaches -- is really worried.

"The senior players have not really been in form. At this moment, many of the big names would not be picked unless they improve," said one of the selectors yesterday to The Daily Star Sport seeking anonymity.

Even after two warm-up tournaments and seven rounds of the Premier League most of the current national players have failed to impress, especially the defenders.

With Rajani, Nazrul, Hassan and Sujan -- the core of the team's central defence -- playing below par, it would be difficult to find out their replacements.

"We can't change everything overnight. Four new faces won't make any sense. What we are planning to do is to keep two senior players and push two new ones into the fold if all the seniors do not recover in time. That would keep everyone under pressure," the BFF coach told.

He also added that they have yet to find a quality left-back since Masud Rana's retirement.

This position has been a constant worry and in the recent past, coaches were forced to use makeshift midfielders Parvez Babu and Munna or Titu, a specialist right-back.

"Hassan Al Mamun will definitely be the first choice on the right side of defence but he has been used in different positions this season for club interest. Sometimes, players used in various places lose their sharpness when they return to their genuine position. He might survive because of his talent but I am not confident the others can cope with it.

"We have noticed that Kanchan, a striker, had to play as a defender in the left side and this has made the natural attacker lose his prowess. He will certainly not be in the side if it is picked now.

"Sometimes, excessive training for the club also makes player tired so they can not give hundred per cent. It could also be the case for the leading footballers' lack of form," he added.

Before the SAFF Championship, Bangladesh will also go into the Asian Cup qualifiers and the preliminary camp is expected to start with 40 players. This time, the BFF will not release the players of the national camp for the National Football League for international commitment.

The selector, supporting the idea, said that it would keep the players fresh. "Otherwise they would be tired following a long season like previous occasions. If the coach gets three months, he would be able to prepare a good team for the coming international commitments."

Among the veterans, it looks that goalkeeper Aminul, midfield playmaker Arman and striker Alfaz are guaranteed their places but the others will face challenge from emerging youngsters.

Top in the list are Brothers' midfielder Abul, rightback Siraji and striker Emily, Mohammedan right-back Rony and midfielder Arman Aziz, Arambagh stoppers Akram, Ramjan and midfielders Amirul and Morshed apart from Abahani centre-back Pradeep, the former national player who has returned to form after a few injury-plagued seasons.

With second-choice goalkeeper Biplab showing his nerves now and again, youngsters like Tareq and Zia and experienced custodian Nizam will push hard to become Aminul's deputy.

"Although out of form, we have to rely on some big names for experience in the end. But this is also the time to push the youngsters who will serve the nation. We have to think about the future," the selector opined.