Mo Salah faces final fitness hurdle as Egypt’s main man gears up for World Cup 2018 bow
Pharaohs' manager Hector Cuper optimistic Salah will play in today's Group A clash with Russia despite needing late fitness test
EGYPT'S hopes of seeing their talisman Mo Salah play against Russia and finally launch his World Cup campaign rest on a late fitness test, according to boss Hector Cuper.
The Pharaohs' manager was keeping his cards close to his chest, teasing fans by saying their goalscoring hero was fit – yet he was still not certain to play.
Salah, 26, was an unused substitute for Egypt’s opening 1-0 defeat to Uruguay as he continued to recover from the shoulder injury picked up during Liverpool’s Champions League final.
With an eye-watering 44 goals in all competitions for the Reds last season, Egypt will be desperate to see their man finally on the pitch as they look to bounce back against the hosts tonight.
Cuper said: "Salah is fit. In the previous match against Uruguay we thought he was fit also but we always draw up a last physical test.
"We'll have an important test for him to see how he does. I think he will be fit to play. He is an important part of our team. I am optimistic he'll be able to play."
All the noises coming out of the camp suggest Salah is ready to lead the line for his country, with the Egyptian Football Association having previously declared him fit to face Uruguay.
On Sunday his agent Ramy Abbas Issa also indicated the same, tweeting "Mohamed is fit".
And Cuper was fully aware of the importance of his goalscorer if the nation wanted to avoid an early exit.
Latest World Cup 2018 news
FROM RUSSIA WITH LIVE All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup
MOST READ IN WORLD CUP 2018
He added: "Salah is one of the best players in the world. He is in the top ten for me, there is no shadow of doubt about it. It is an honour and privilege to coach him.
"On top of being talented he is humble. He plays as a team player and that for me is extremely important nowadays.
"He is important to us and I say that with all due respect to the other players in the Egyptian squad."