Star forward Mohammed Salah looks set to feature for Egypt in their crucial World Cup opening game against Uruguay on Friday.
The Liverpool star dislocated his shoulder during his club’s Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in May and has been the subject of a likely absence in Egypt’s first Group A game, at the very least.
However, Egypt head coach Hector Cuper confirmed on Thursday that his country’s biggest football star will take part in their first World Cup appearance in twenty eight years on Friday.
“Salah feels very good. He quickly recovered and has already trained with us.
“I can say almost one hundred percent that he will play. We’re trying to make him feel confident. The doctors are giving him the option to play or not, but I know Salah very well and I’m sure he’s not afraid, he’s not fearful,” said Cuper.
The news of Salah’s recovery will be a timely boost for the North Africans who are still sweating over the participation of left back Ali Gabr due to a facial injury.
While the Egyptians gear up for the occasion in Ekaterinburg, their opponents, Uruguay have already named their starting lineup for the encounter.
Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez named his starting team which includes Juventus’s 20-year old midfielder Rodrigo Bentacur on Thursday. Barcelona star Luis Suarez and PSG’s Edinson Cavani will lead the Uruguayan assault against the Egyptians.
The match will kick off at 1pm Nigerian time on Friday.
Uruguay lineup:
Fernando Muslera;
Guillermo Varela, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres, Jose Gimenez;
Matias Vecino, Nahitan Nandez, Rodrigo Bentacur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta;
Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani.
