Salah a doubt for Egypt's World Cup last-32 tie after hamstring strain

Egypt face an anxious wait over the fitness of captain Mohamed Salah after he suffered a hamstring strain and was substituted during the 1-1 group-stage draw with Iran, putting his place in Friday's World Cup round of 32 tie with Australia in jeopardy while medical staff assess him.

Team doctor Mohamed Abou revealed Salah complained of pain during the match and scans confirmed a hamstring strain. The Egyptian Football Association said he has begun a rehabilitation programme but offered no guarantee he will be fit for July 3. Coach Hossam Hassan has spoken with Salah and remains optimistic.

"I spoke with Salah and, God willing, the injury doesn't seem serious. He assured me it would be fine, that it's not a serious injury," Hassan said. The issue is particularly concerning because Salah had a similar hamstring problem that kept him out for three weeks from late April, though he returned in time for Liverpool's final two domestic matches.

Egypt

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