Egypt star Mohamed Salah will be able to continue his English Premier League spell with Chelsea after a last minute decision from Egyptian officials spared him from compulsory military service.

Salah, 22, was poised to return home after Egypt's higher education minister cancelled his enrolment in an educational institute, making him immediately eligible for obligatory military service.

The fear that Salah would have to end his promising career at Chelsea – who he joined from Swiss side Basel in the winter break – sparked a media outcry, with Egypt's national coach Shawky Gharib urging authorities to quickly sort out the problem.

The minister then revoked his earlier decision – settling Chelsea's worries of losing their Egypt ace, who is currently taking part in the Blues' training camp in Austria.

Egypt manager Gharib, who took over from American coach Bob Bradley following the team's failure to reach the World Cup finals this year, is also keen to have Salah during the African Cup of Nations' qualifiers, which kick off in September.

Salah, who came through the youth ranks of Arab Contractors, made a fine impact at Stamford Bridge last season, scoring two goals in six league appearances.

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