Late on Sunday, Egypt coach Ehab Galal revealed that the 29-year-old Liverpool star winger Salah had been struggling with an injury ahead of Sunday's 1-0 victory over Guinea in the opening match of the qualifiers.

“The technical staff prefers to give Salah a rest in the Ethiopia game after medical scans revealed that he suffers from a minor muscular strain,” read a statement by the EFA.

Aston Villa's key winger Mahmoud Trezeguet, 27, missed playing with the Pharaohs in the Guinea test after picking up a knock while warming up for the game and it is still doubtful he will be ready for the Ethiopia game due to the injury.

“Trezeguet is suffering from a muscular strain and his availability for Ethiopia match is yet to be determined,” the EFA statement added.

Egypt’s keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi, who also missed Guinea match, is likely to return to service for Thursday’s match.

The EFA declared that the 33-year old Ahly keeper tested negative for coronavirus and will rejoin the training sessions starting Monday.

After Thursday’s game, Egypt’s team will fly to Seoul to play a friendly against South Korea on 14 June.

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