Egyptian FA 'cannot confirm' Mohamed Salah will be fit for World Cup opener against Uruguay

Liverpool forward took part in training on Monday, but still a doubt for match on Friday, according to Ehab Lehita

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, second right, speaks with Egyptian medical team members during a training session at the Akhmat Arena in Grozny on June 11. AFP

Egypt forward Mohamed Salah remains a doubt to face Uruguay in their World Cup opener at Yekaterinburg on Friday, the country's football association has said.

The Liverpool player, who sustained a shoulder injury in the Uefa Champions League final against Real Madrid last month, took part in light training on Monday, but the Egyptian FA's managing director Ehab Lehita said it was too early to say whether he would play against the South Americans.

"He is gradually getting better. However, I cannot confirm today that he will play in the first match," Lehita said of the 25-year-old, who scored 44 goals for Liverpool last season.

"All I can say is that we hope he will play in this match."

Doubts persist over Salah's fitness, but the Egyptian star said from the team's base in Grozny on Monday that he was "well-prepared" for the tournament.

On May 30, Egypt officials said Salah would be out for "not more" than three weeks, which would rule him out of the Uruguay match, but put him in the frame for Russia on June 19 and Saudi Arabia on June 25.

Egypt also face Saudi Arabia and hosts Russia in Group A.

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