MOHAMED SALAH IS in line to start Egypt’s opening game of World Cup 2018 against Uruguay tomorrow, with manager Hector Cuper “100%” confident the Liverpool forward is over a shoulder injury.
Salah has been in a race against time to be fit for his side’s Group A opener on Friday after suffering the injury during Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month.
But speaking at his pre-match press conference today, Cupper reported: “Salah is doing very well indeed, he’s recovered very quickly. We’ll see how it goes today. I can almost assure you 100 per cent he’ll play.
“We’re trying to make him feel confident. The doctors are giving him the option to play or not. I know him very well, and I’m sure he’s not afraid.
“A risk of playing a match is something we can’t hide. In terms of him on the pitch, he’ll have full guarantees. If we do see at the last minute there’s an issue, we’ll see if it can be resolved.”
Egypt play Uruguay — tipped by some to be dark horses — in Yekaterinburg in just the second game of the tournament, following Russia against Saudi Arabia in the opening match later on Thursday.
Salah was one of the outstanding players in the world this season as he helped propel Liverpool to the Champions League final.
Salah, who turns 26 on the day of the game, gave Egyptian fans a massive boost on Wednesday when he joined a squad training session at their Grozny base.
His World Cup dream was left on the brink when he exited the Champions League final in tears after Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos wrestled him to the ground nearly three weeks ago.
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So the injury wasn’t that bad then….
Pretty sure they would still play Salah if he only had one leg
100% fit means hes either got wolverine recovery superpowers (from the over reaction from Liverpool suppprters) or he could have played on in the biggest game of his career.
@Crpytoalchol: Didn’t say he was 100% fit and it’s nearly 3 weeks since the injury
@Crpytoalchol: not really…Joe Ledley recovered in 4 weeks from a broken leg to play in the Euros. Nothing spectacular about recovering from a shoulder injury.
@Jim: injury??
It will be interesting to see how Egypt do. They have traditionally been very strong in the African Nations but that success has never really translated to the World Cup.
The poor divil was lucky to make it out of that champions league final with his life…….
So injury wasn’t as bad, instead of crying he should have been able to man up take a pain injection and play on in the biggest game of his career.
@Eamonn Dunne: was more concerned about his World Cup chances, if Egypt weren’t qualified he’d have played on
@Eamonn Dunne: amazing how nobody (i.e. Man Utd fans) said that after Ronaldo went off crying 25 minutes into the biggest game of his career.
@Wilson I’mSorry: That is even worse as its Liverpool that pay him millions per year and access to further commercial interests plus he is a professional athlete. He owed is employers 100% effort.
@The Bloody Nine: Well he is a Real player so not Man Utd fans concern plus I cant condone the crying but the knee injury looked more serious as he could not run.
@Eamonn Dunne: so just by looking at it on the telly you can confirm Ronaldo’s injury was too serious to carry on playing but Salah should have just manned-up and played on, even though he did try to play on for a bit. Who knew there was so many medical professionals commenting on this sports site and able to complete full diagnosis from the couch.
@The Bloody Nine: what age are you ? Ronaldo Utd ffs
@Wilson I’mSorry: I don’t just give my age out to any potential suitor, Wilson. You’ll have to at least buy me lunch first x.
@The Bloody Nine: sure Happy Meal ?
@Wilson I’mSorry: throw in a chocolate milkshake and I’m all yours x.
He did try to play on and slumped twice, knee far more serious as if you cant even jog your pretty much useless on the pitch. This is not a Man Utd vs Liverpool thing as I have never been to those cities for which I find hilarious seeing reasonable adults act like complete children with regards to there favorite foreign owned franchise.
It’ll all end in tears
#shouldertoshoulder