A day after Egypt coach Hector Cuper declared star striker Mohamed Salah fit for their opening game against Uruguay, he was left out of the playing XI for the high-profile encounter. It remains to be seen whether Salah will be among the substitutes, though it appears highly unlikely.
Salah injured his shoulder in Liverpool's Champions League final loss to Real Madrid on May 26. The Egyptian striker had a wonderful season with Liverpool, spurring them to the Champions League final. But his World Cup dream was left on the brink when he exited the final three weeks ago in tears after Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos wrestled him to the ground.
Salah, who turns 26 on the day of the game, gave the Egyptian fans a huge lift on Wednesday when he joined a squad training session at their Grozny base.
Coach Cuper had said Salah had “recovered quickly” but the player will have the final say on whether he will take the field for the opener against Uruguay.
"We still have to see how training goes today, but I can almost assure you 100 per cent that he'll play, we are all very optimistic that he will be on the pitch," Cuper had said. "Salah is very good and he's recovered very quickly. Doctors are giving him the option.”
Salah is crucial to Egypt's hopes of making it to the Round of 16 from group A after hosts Russia thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening match for the FIFA World Cup 2018.
(With PTI inputs)