Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - Russia Training - Neustift, Austria - May 21, 2018 Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov during training REUTERS
Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov said he hopes Egypt forward Mohamed Salah would have recovered from a shoulder injury by the time both sides face off in the World Cup next month.
Salah is facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after spraining shoulder joint ligaments in Liverpool's 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Saturday.
“The game [between Russia and Egypt] will take place on June 19, there is still a lot of time ahead," Cherchesov told Russian media on Tuesday.
"I was worried for Salah during the game, because I was rooting for Liverpool. We hope the injury is not serious indeed,” Cherchesov added.
Egypt open their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on 15 June before meeting hosts Russia four days later. They will conclude their group-stage campaign against Arab Gulf side Saudi Arabia on 25 June.
The 25-year-old Mo Salah has enjoyed a dream debut season with Liverpool, racking up 44 goals in all competitions included a record tally of 32 goals in the elite Premier League to finish as the competition's top scorer.
He picked up the shoulder injury after being challenged by Real defender Sergio Ramos in the first half of the Champions League final. Ramos was heavily vilified by angry Egyptian fans who accused him of deliberately hurting Salah.
Salah said on Sunday he is "a fighter who is determined to make fans proud", adding that he is optimistic he would recover in time to take part in the World Cup.
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