Salah declared fit to play Egypt opener

Uruguay likely to field fearsome front 2 of Suarez, Cavani

YEKATERINBURG, Russia, June 14, (AFP): Mohamed Salah has recovered from his shoulder injury and barring a last-minute hitch the Egyptian star will play in their World Cup opener against Uruguay on Friday, coach Hector Cuper said.

The striker’s return after weeks of uncertainty is a massive boost for Egypt and for the tournament in Russia because it means one of the hottest players on the planet at the moment will be in action.

“We still have to see how training goes today, but I can almost assure you 100 percent that he’ll play, we are all very optimistic that he will be on the pitch,” Cuper said on Thursday, shortly before leading out his squad at Yekaterinburg Arena — with Salah among them.

The 62-year-old Argentine Cuper added: “Salah is very good and he’s recovered very quickly.”

Salah, who sustained the injury in Liverpool’s Champions League final loss to Real Madrid on May 26, is crucial to Egypt’s hopes of making it out of a weaklooking Group A also featuring hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt play Uruguay — tipped by some to be dark horses — in just the second game of the tournament, following Russia against Saudi Arabia in the opening match later Thursday.

Salah was one of the outstanding players in the world this season as he helped propel Liverpool to the Champions League final.

Egypt’s forward Mohamed Salah smiles during a training session at Ekaterinburg Stadium in Ekaterinburg on June 14, a day ahead of the team’s Russia 2018 World Cup Group A opening football match against Uruguay.

(AFP)