What makes the 31st Federation Cup a little unusual is that at least three India players and the country's best known import would be looking to this as a comeback vehicle.

Before January 3 next year` it will be known whether Jose Barreto, Bhaichung Bhutia, Sameer Naik and Mahesh Gawli have succeeded or not.

For all the flutter India skipper Bhutia created after going ahead and signing for East Bengal despite being suspended by Mohun Bagan, he hasn't really been doing what he's best at. The derby on October 25 was an opportunity Bhutia missed with injury but this time he would be more than eager to make up for lost time.

Barreto, out since the same derby, has already announced his intentions to help Mohun Bagan — record 13-time champions — retain the title. “With Barreto partnering me, we have the power to destroy any defence,” Bagan's striker Edeh Chidi said after training on Sunday.

Dempo's defensive duo of Gawli and Naik was not too long ago were temporarily suspended by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for not attending the national camp in Goa. The decision has been overturned and the club fined Rs 5 lakh - a decision they can appeal against - but the players sought to make light of the issue.

“It was upsetting for us,” said Gawli who along with Naik were injured for long. “For all the years that we dedicated for India, the decision was unfair. But all that has been resolved. All I want to do now is to wih winning the Federation Cup for Dempo is all what I want.”

Together with the return of defender Anwar and striker Sunil Chhetri — who will be partnered by Ranty Martins — the last edition's finalists will be a major itch this time too.

Chirag United, third on the I-League table after eight rounds, may be somewhat pegged back by the absence of injured striker Joshimar da Silva but with proven performers like striker Edmilson Marques and central defender Eduardo Coelho, they could be the first among equals. Just behind Chirag United on the League standings before it took a break are Mahindra United for whom striker Mohammed Rafi finally looks to be performing to potential. Rafi won't be playing on Monday against Chirag due to injury.

ON THE TUBE

Bagan vs Mohd Sporting: Live on Zee Sports & 24 Ghanta from 3.30 pm; Mahindra vs Chirag: Live on Zee Sports from 6 pm