Cuper plays a guessing game over Salah fitness

RUSSIA

V EGYPT

Egypt boss Hector Cuper has kept Russia guessing over whether or not he will be able to unleash “one of the best players in the world” on them in St Petersburg tonight.

The Group A rivals go head to head with the hosts knowing a second successive victory could secure their progression to the second round, but equally aware that the impending return of Mohamed Salah from injury may threaten their dream.

Liverpool hitman Salah was last night due to undergo a fitness test on the shoulder injury he suffered while playing against Real Madrid in the Champions League final last month, but Cuper is optimistic that he will be able to take his place in the team after missing Friday’s opening defeat by Uruguay.

The Argentine said: “Salah is one of the best players in the world. He is in the top ten today for me, there’s no shadow of a doubt there. It’s an honour and a privilege to coach him.

“On top of being talented, he is humble, he plays as a team player and that, at least for me, is extremely important nowadays.

“Hopefully tomorrow, he’ll be up to play. I’m optimistic, I think he’ll be able to play.”

Russia boss Stanislav Cherchesov is confident his players will succeed in dealing with Salah where Premier League and European opposition failed last season.

He said: “Of course Mo Salah is the strongest one of the team, but we are not playing against one player. We have to take into consideration all the players.

“We understand how to do this and tomorrow, you will see this. What can I say? I trust in my team, I believe in my players and I will give you a simple answer to your question: we are ready to do this and we will do this.”