Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has cast doubt on whether Mohamed Salah will start Friday’s World Cup last-32 showdown with Australia in Dallas as the 34-year-old continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Salah took some part in training on Wednesday after picking up a hamstring strain in last week’s 1-1 draw with Iran as Egypt collected the point they needed to progress to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.
“Salah is a passionate player and he is very much looking forward to making his own contribution,” the Egypt coach said.
“I’m not going to run any risk unless I’m 100 per cent sure he is fit and raring to go tomorrow.
“We look forward to him playing tomorrow, but we’re not sure if he’s going to be in the starting line-up.”
Salah has scored just once so far at this World Cup, getting his team’s second goal as Egypt bounced back to defeat New Zealand in the group stages.
Salah asked to come off with 33 minutes remaining against Iran and his fight to regain fitness has cast a shadow over his team’s preparations for one of the biggest games in their history.
“He is one of the best players globally and I’m very lucky to work with him and I’m very happy with our work together so far,” Hassan added.
“I have managed to deploy him tactically and technically speaking and he has surpassed the capabilities that people had expected of him so far.”
