GROZNY, Russia: Egypt’s Mohamed Salah arrived in Russia Sunday, with the Pharaohs hopeful the star striker can complete a dramatic injury comeback in time for their opening World Cup match against Uruguay.
Salah and his teammates touched down in Grozny ahead of Egypt’s third appearance at the World Cup, ending a drought stretching back to 1990.
The seven-time African champions play their opening Group A fixture on Friday, June 15, against Uruguay.
“The team is ready for the competition and morale is high,” national team manager Ihab Leheta told AFP at the Grozny International Airport.
The Pharaohs have never progressed beyond the group stages and Salah is seen as crucial to their chances of making an impression at the tournament in Russia.
The goal-scoring talisman has been sidelined since exiting Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in tears after injuring his shoulder when Sergio Ramos wrestled him to the ground.
But such has been his form for the English Premiership club — 44 goals in all competitions for the season — that he has been included in Egypt’s squad even though there is no guarantee he will play.
Team doctor Mohamed Abou Al-Ela told ON Sport TV on Saturday night that they would make an assessment on Salah’s ability to play early this week.
“We won’t be able to tell until after two days,” he said, declining to give any more details.
“We will not have him play unless he has totally recovered.”
On May 30, Egypt officials said Salah would be out for “not more” than three weeks, which would rule him out of the Uruguay match but put him in the frame for Russia on June 19 and Saudi Arabia on June 25.
The player attended Egypt’s final training session in Cairo on Saturday night but did not take part, restricting himself to briefly dribbling the ball on the corner of the pitch.
‘We will not play Mo Salah unless he has totally recovered’
‘We will not play Mo Salah unless he has totally recovered’
- Verdict of Egypt team doctor
- Salah arrives in Russia with everyone wondering when he will play
Australia rest Cummins, Hazlewood, Maxwell for Pakistan T20 series
- Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis will also skip the series starting later this month
- Australia will play Pakistan in Lahore on Jan. 29, 31 and Feb. 1, before traveling to Sri Lanka
MELBOURNE: Australia will rest five top players, including Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell, for a three-match Twenty20 series in Pakistan ahead of the World Cup, selectors said Monday.
Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis will also skip the series starting later this month.
Their absence opened the door to fringe players Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe and Matt Renshaw, who come into the 17-man squad.
Chief selector George Bailey said the five were either returning from injury or having their loads managed ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka which begin on February 7.
“The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience,” he added.
“Some are already experienced international players, along with Mahli Beardman who has been with the group a number of times, and Jack Edwards who joined for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year.”
Australia will play Pakistan in Lahore on January 29, 31 and February 1, before traveling to Sri Lanka where they are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.
Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
