Zamalek skipper Hazem Emam and Ahly defender Rami Rabia were excluded on Monday from Egypt's squad for next week's World Cup qualifiers, as the duo still need time to recover from their injuries.

The defensive pair were called up on Thursday for Egypt's training camp but the team's doctor announced on Monday they would not be available for the upcoming clashes.

Rabia and Emam have been out for more than six weeks and still need time to be fully fit.

They have joined a list of absentees that already includes Roma's winger Mohamed Salah and Ahly Jeddah fullback Mohamed Abdel-Shafi, who are also ruled out through injury.

Zamalek's winger Moustapha Fathi was called up as a replacement for Roma's Salah. It is yet to be known who will fill the void left by the the absence of Emam and Rabia.

Egypt will open their qualifying campaign against Chad away from home on 14 November before hosting the African minnows three days later in the second leg.

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