Egypt's star attacker Mohamed Salah and midfielder Mohamed Elneny have tested positive for COVID-19 again on Thursday but the Premier League duo will return to England on Friday, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said.

"Within the framework of coordination between the EFA and the English clubs Liverpool and Arsenal, it has been agreed that Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny would travel to England tomorrow from Hurghada Airport on a special flight with medical equipments," a statement by the EFA read on Thursday.

"Both players were tested on Thursday and the results came positive," it concluded.

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah arrived in Egypt on Monday last week to join the Pharaohs for their double header against Togo in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

He tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday, on the eve of the first game and has been in isolation in Cairo since than before moving to the Red Sea resort of Gouna on Sunday.

Arsenal midfielder Elneny, who made a big impact against Togo in Saturday's game, tested positive three days later just before the second encounter.

He was also put on isolation and returned with the team to Egypt on Wednesday.

A third Egypt international tested positive for the coronavirus as Olympiacos striker Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan has been reported infected on Wednesday.

Egypt moved to the top of Group G with 8 points following their consecutive victories against Togo 1-0 in Cairo and 3-1 in Lome.

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