Salah almost certain to face Uruguay, says Cuper

Mohamed Salah is almost certain to feature in Egypt’s World Cup opener against Uruguay on Friday, coach Hector Cuper said.

Salah suffered a shoulder injury in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final last month but appears to have recovered in time to play a full part in Russia.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the Group A clash, Egypt boss Cuper said: “Salah is doing very well indeed, he’s recovered very quickly.

“We’ll see how it goes today [Thursday]. I can almost assure you 100 per cent he’ll play unless something dramatic happens today or tomorrow.

الجمهور المصري في شوارع مدينة ” ايكاترينبرج “#شجع_مصر #الفراعنة pic.twitter.com/1Av0SFCsBT

— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 14, 2018

“We’re trying to make him feel confident. The doctors are giving him the options to play or not. I know Salah very well, he’s not fearful, we always know we’re running a risk when playing a match, that’s something we can’t hide.

“But if he does decide to play he’ll have full guarantees on his physical condition and I’m sure he will be fine. And if it does turn out there’s an issue at the last minute we’ll consider it and see if it can be resolved.”

Salah, who turns 26 on Friday, arrived at the World Cup after an outstanding season for Liverpool, in which he scored 44 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions and was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

The winger sat out as Cuper’s side failed to win any of their three World Cup warm-up matches, losing to Belgium after draws against Kuwait and Colombia.

After taking on Uruguay, Egypt face hosts Russia on Tuesday before their final group game against Saui Arabia the following week.