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The 25-year-old is recovering from a right shoulder injury suffered in last month's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid and was recently deemed doubtful to play against Uruguay with Egypt's managing director Ehab Lehita only hoping he could feature. "We're keeping an eye on the situation day by day," Lehita said earlier this week. "We have been following the case since his injury in the final of Champions League. Mohamed trained in Cairo, trained yesterday and is training today. We are watching the situation closely with the doctor."
"He has daily treatment sessions on his shoulder. He trains indoors as well in the gym, and today he trained on the pitch. He is gradually getting better. However, I cannot confirm today that he will play in the first match. All I can say is that we hope he will play in this match." According to Egypt head coach Hector Cuper, however, Salah will "almost" 100 percent play barring any unforeseen last minute circumstances, adding he was "doing very well" and his recovery was going "very, very quickly." "I can almost assure you 100 percent he will play, save unforeseen circumstances at the very last minute," Cuper said, as per BBC. "We're trying to make him feel confident. The doctors are giving him the option to play or not, but I know Salah very well and I'm sure he's not afraid, he's not fearful." The World Cup kicked off Thursday with hosts Russia dismantling a poor Saudi Arabia side in a 5-0 opening day win. With the Asian side still to play group favorites Uruguay and Egypt, many are predicting the likes of Salah, as well as Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez will have an early advantage in the race for the Golden Boot. Cuper is one of them, adding the former Roma man could also stamp his mark on the game during the tournament: "He [Salah] could become the top goalscorer here and one of the greatest players." Russia's good start will put the pressure on Egypt, especially as playing in their first World Cup since 1990, the African side will need a fit and firing Salah if they wish to qualify from Group A. However, they will also be boosted with the news that defender Ali Gabr will likely be fit to play after bruising his face in training. Uruguay are expected to name a youthful midfield to compliment the duo of Cavani and Suarez with Rodrigo Bentancur, 20, and Nahitan Nandez, 22, likely to start the game. The reportedly Arsenal-bound Lucas Torreira, 22, is another option in midfield for the South Americans though he is likely to start the game on the bench.
World Cup 2018 Day 2: Rampant Russia, England starting XI revealed, Salah update
After months of eager anticipation, the 2018 World Cup kicked off on Thursday and delivered excitement and goals as Russia started the tournament with the 5-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia. The opening ceremony was short and sweet, with Robbie Williams giving the televisions the finger and Vladimir Putin delivering an em, interesting, speech. News of England’s starting XI for the game against Tunisia on Sunday has been leaked in the British press, while there is a major Mo Salah injury update before Egypt take on Uruguay later today.
Russia start with a bang
Despite all the off-field furore surrounding the World Cup, Russia’s were not expected to do much on the pitch this summer. However, this perception was well and truly blown out of the water on Thursday night, with the competition hosts putting the Saudis to the sword. A strong tournament host can only be a positive thing and Russia now look well-placed to make the round of 16. On the other hand, it could be a long couple of weeks for Saudi Arabia. An early injury for Alan Dzagoev was a real blow for the home side, but Denis Cheryshev took his chance to impress from the bench, scoring two excellent goals after his introduction.
Gareth Southgate’s starting XI to face Tunisia has a couple of unforeseen selections in it, according to reputable source the Guardian.
The Three Lions boss will select Leicester City’s Harry Maguire at centre-half instead of Gary Cahill, Jordan Henderson instead of Eric Dier and Ashley Young over Danny Rose, the report suggests. Should this be true, England playing only one central midfielder is an interesting feature, with an attack-minded outlook from Southgate.
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