Kolkata, Oct 14 (TIWN) Bangladesh assistant coach Stuart Watkiss feels the absence of star India defender Sandesh Jhingan for their Group E Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup is slightly advantageous for them.

Jhingan was ruled out ahead of the Bangladesh game on October 15 with a knee injury during India''s friendly match against Indian NorthEast United (NEUFC) at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati a few days back.

Full back Rahul Bheke was named in the squad but he remains doubtful after picking up an injury. He was not played in the preparatory game against NorthEast United where almost all other squad players got some minutes.

"I mean, obviously the two defenders are very good players. Sandesh is excellent, not only defending but he''s a big threat from set pieces," Watkiss told reporters after the team''s first practice session at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan here.

"The coach (Igor Stimac) has many good players to fall back on. Other people to call up into the team. And we know the 11 players that start the game for India will be very strong. So, yeah, maybe a little advantage to us that those two central defenders are not playing. But we still expect to be facing really, really strong Indian team," said the 53-year-old.

Bangladesh took on Asian champions Qatar at home on October 10 and lost 0-2 despite putting on a spirited show. It was Bangladesh''s second defeat, having lost 1-0 to Afghanistan in their group opener. India, meanwhile played out a famous goalless draw against Qatar on September 10.

Both sides are yet to win a game.

"We performed very well against Qatar and deserved something out of the game. I know India got a great point away in Qatar. But I think if you looked at the stats for our game, I would say we created more chances than Qatar in the game and possibly had the best chances of the game as well," Watkiss said.