World Cup

Egypt boss Hector Cuper hopeful of Mohamed Salah recovery for World Cup opener

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 05 June 2018

Egypt head coach Hector Cuper is hopeful that Mohamed Salah could be fit for the Pharaohs' World Cup opener against Uruguay on June 15.

Egypt head coach Hector Cuper has expressed his hopes of Mohamed Salah being fit for the start of the Pharaohs' World Cup campaign.

The Liverpool forward dislocated his shoulder in the first half of the Champions League final after a challenge by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

Salah was nonetheless included in Egypt's 23-man squad for Russia, with an estimated recovery period of three weeks allowing the 25-year-old to play a part in the group stage.

Cuper has now claimed that Salah could be back in time for Egypt's opening Group A game against Uruguay on June 15 but stressed that other players could step in if needed.

"Salah is in a stage of recovery not just for treatment on his shoulder," Cuper told Sky Sports News. "We need to improve his demeanour and his fitness level because the injury has prevented him from training as a normal player.

"But we have very good news from our doctor, we hope he will be with us before Uruguay. We are optimists and we are waiting for him.

"We hope we won't be affected, we try to be the same team, we can't be dependent on one player. He's important but if he's not fit in time we will be ready with another player.

"This is football, these things can happen to any player. We could need to substitute him, but we hope that won't be the case."

Following the Uruguay fixture, Egypt take on hosts Russia on June 19 before wrapping up the group stage against Saudi Arabia on June 25.