It’s the news Socceroos fans were hoping they wouldn’t receive ahead of Saturday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Egypt: Mohamed Salah looks set to feature.
Salah had been in doubt for the knockout clash after suffering a hamstring strain during Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Iran last week, an injury that forced the 34-year-old to be substituted after 57 minutes.
Subsequent scans revealed the extent of the Egyptian ace’s injury, with Salah immediately beginning a rehabilitation program in order to get him fit enough to feature in Dallas.
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After days of speculation Salah was then spotted in training with his teammates earlier in the week, with the Egyptian FA even putting out a bespoke hype reel of the man dubbed the ‘King of Egypt’ on their X account showing him going through his paces in the gym.
Furthermore, Salah then appeared to be move freely in front of the world’s media during the early stages of Egypt’s final training session before the game, with his coach Hossam Hassan confirming on Friday that ex-Liverpool ace will feature.
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“Against Iran, we learned that he suffered a hamstring strain during the second half of the match and asked to be substituted,” Hassan said when speaking via a translator at Egypt’s official pre-match press conference.
“Our very distinguished medical department took care of that, and we tried to introduce him to partial team training as of yesterday only.
“But Salah is a passionate player; he is very much looking forward to making his own contributions with his teammates tomorrow.
“But of course, I am not going to run any risk unless I am sure that he is 100 percent sure of the fact that he is fit and raring to go tomorrow.
“We look forward to him playing tomorrow, not sure though whether he is going to be in the starting lineup.”
Salah’s availability is a significant boost for Egypt as they prepare to face the Socceroos for a place in the Round of 16, with Australia bidding to win a FIFA World Cup knockout match for the very first time.
Melbourne City stars Patrick Beach and Aziz Behich will be hopeful of keeping their places in the side, having both started in the 0-0 draw with Paraguay that helped the Socceroos book their spot in the Round of 32.
