MOSCOW, June 15: Egypt star striker Mohamed Salah is almost certain to play in his team's first match at the FIFA World Cup in Russia against Uruguay despite suffering a shoulder injury in late May, Egypt head coach Hector Cuper said Thursday.
The Liverpool star damaged ligaments in his shoulder during the first half of their 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 26 following a challenge by Real captain Sergio Ramos.
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"Salah is feeling great, he has recovered quickly. I can assure you I am almost 100 percent certain that he will play for us tomorrow, of course, if nothing unexpected happens," Cuper told journalists.
Several media sources reported Thursday that Salah trained with the rest of the national team's squad ahead of their first match.
Egypt will kick off their World Cup campaign against two-time champions Uruguay in Yekaterinburg on Friday.