Egypt gamble on Salah’s Cup return

Cairo, June 4: Egypt have gambled on Mohamed Salah returning to fitness in the coming weeks by naming him in their 23man squad for this month’s World Cup in Russia.

Coach Hector Cuper on Monday also included Mohamed Elneny, the midfielder who has not played since April after suffering an ankle injury in action for Arsenal.

Salah is still recovering from the shoulder ligament injury suffered in last month’s Champions League final when he went off early in the game in Kiev as Liverpool lost to Real Madrid.

Medical staff from Egypt and Liverpool have suggested it will be touch and go for the 25-year-old to be ready in time for the seventime African champions’ opening World Cup Group A game against Uruguay in Ekaterinburg on June 15.

Salah posted a picture of himself exercising his shoulder on social media on Sunday with a teasing caption of “good feelings” but no further comment on his progress.

Meanwhile, Germany have included 2014 World Cup-winning captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in their final squad for the 2018 tournament, even though he has only just returned from a long-term absence through injury.

In a surprise omission, coach Joachim Loew left Leroy Sane out of his 23player list despite a strong season with the Premier League champions.

“Leroy has a huge amount of talent and he will be back in again because from September we will re-double our work with him,” Loew said.

— Agencies