LONDON — Egypt forward Mohamed Salah’s shoulder injury will keep him out of action for three to four weeks, Liverpool’s club physio has said, meaning he could miss the World Cup group stage.
The 25-year-old is desperate to play for Egypt in only its third World Cup and its first for 28 years but faces a race against time to be fit for next month’s Group A games.
“He is sad about what happened but is totally focused on recovery, seeing when he can be ready,” physio Ruben Pons told Spanish sports newspaper Marca of the injury to Salah during Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid.
“In principle it will be between three and four weeks but we will try to reduce those dates, that’s the big goal,” he added.
Egypt begins its World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 15, before facing host Russia on June 19 and Saudi Arabia on June 25, meaning if Salah takes four weeks to recover he could be fit in time for the knockout phase.
On Sunday, Salah posted a message saying: “It was a very tough night, but I’m a fighter. Despite the odds, I’m confident that I’ll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need.”
Egypt reached the tournament after Salah scored a 95th minute penalty to help them beat Congo 2-1 in October.
Salah, who scored 44 goals in a sensational first season for Liverpool after joining from AS Roma, was voted Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association this month, completing a sweep of England’s individual prizes and becoming the first African player to win the prestigious award.
Guardiola salutes Real Madrid
Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said bitter rival Real Madrid was a “spectacular” side after it won a record 13th European title in Kiev Saturday.
Manchester City manager Guardiola, whose side was eliminated in the Champions League semifinals by beaten finalist Liverpool, praised Zinedine Zidane’s team.
The Catalan coach was at the helm of Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, one of the most fierce periods in the rivalry between Spain’s two biggest sides.
“When a team wins three Champions Leagues in a row, four in five years, it means they are a spectacular side,” Guardiola told reporters Wednesday at an event held by the Johan Cruyff foundation in Barcelona.
“They control knockout games very well and I can only take my hat off to them.
“To win three consecutive Champions Leagues shows the quality of the team, the coach and the club. And everyone else must now try to stop them winning the fourth.”
Real Madrid playmaker Isco has been linked with a move to Manchester City but Guardiola said he would not join. “No,” said the coach when asked if he would try to sign the Spaniard.
Neuer shines for
Germany juniors
Manuel Neuer took another step toward the World Cup, after eight months sidelined with injury, by impressing in a training match for Germany’s Under-20 against the senior team Wednesday.
Germany’s captain and goalkeeper, who suffered a fractured foot last September, impressed for the junior team in a 2-0 defeat by the senior Germany team.
He was only beaten by a Thomas Mueller penalty and a goal from Julian Draxler in the shortened training match, which was 35 minutes per half.
“He faced some shots on goal and made a few very good saves. It is another step in the right direction,” said Germany’s assistant coach Thomas Schneider.
On Monday, Neuer played his first game back in a 7-1 win over the Under-20 team at Germany’s World Cup training camp in north Italy, but his presence in the junior goal made for a much closer scoreline Wednesday.
On Saturday, Neuer will play his first full match after injury in Germany’s friendly away game against Austria in Klagenfurt.
Germany head coach Joachim Loew has said Neuer will travel to the World Cup as his first-choice providing he proves his fitness ahead of their opening game against Mexico in Moscow on June 17.
Loew has taken 27 players with him for their training camp, including four ‘keepers, with four to be cut before the list of the official 23-man squad is delivered to FIFA Monday. — Agencies