Mo Salah ready to play in crunch Egypt match

Salah is likely to play against Russia next week, which will be crucial to keeping Egypt's World Cup hopes alive.

2 min read

17 June, 2018

Salah remained on the bench for Egypt's opening game [AFP]

Egypt star Mo Salah will likely take to the field in Egypt's next crucial World Cup game against Russia, national team manager Ihab Leheta said on Saturday.

"Salah participated in training with his team-mates for the entire session and he is ready to play against Russia according to technical staff," Sky News reported Leheta saying.

"Salah did not ask to play against Uruguay. The Russia game is difficult because of our defeat against Uruguay. Winning is our only choice."

Salah remained on the bench for Egypt's opening game on Friday against Uruguay, which saw The Pharaohs lose 1-0.

Egypt head coach Hector Cuper faced criticism for saying he was "almost 100 percent" certain that Salah would play Friday's match, and the decision not to bring on the Liverpool star was a massive blow to the team.

Despite some great holding play, Egypt lacked the verve that was needed up front to threaten the Uruguay defence.

It makes a win against Russia on Tuesday crucial if Egypt want to go through to the next round of the tournament.

Salah's fitness will be crucial to Egypt's hopes of making it into the last 16.

The Egyptian Football Association has also said Salah will be fit for the game.

"He was fit to play against Uruguay but the coach did not want to take the risk," the EFA said, according to the BBC.