Salah fit to play, says Egypt's coach

Egypt's coach Hector Cuper on Thursday confirmed that forward Mohamed Salah is fit to play in Egypt's 2018 FIFA World Cup clash with Uruguay.

Salah's appearance in their first Group A clash, scheduled for Friday, was in doubt after he sustained a shoulder injury that forced him out of the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid on May 26, reports Efe.

"He (Salah) has had a very good recovery with special care... I can almost assure he is ready to play, unless some last-minute thing unexpectedly comes up," Cuper said at the press conference.

Egypt's coach stressed that Salah has what it takes to be the top scorer of the tournament.

"(Salah's) evolution has been incredible, he is very talented and no one can think he can't achieve an objective of this nature. (Salah) is in the right kind of shape to be the top scorer," said Cuper.

The coach did not reveal whether or not goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary will play against Uruguay; Al-Hadary is set to be, at 45, the oldest player to take part in the World Cup.

The World Cup kicks off later on Thursday with a match pitting Russia, the host, against Saudi Arabia.

--IANS

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