Mohamed Salah knows he has a race against time to get fit and return to the AFCON after a hamstring injury, but that won’t stop him from trying.
TheLiverpool forward was widely criticized in his home country for returning to Merseyside for treatment rather than staying with the Egypt international. But with his injury turning out to be more serious than first feared, club, country and player decided it was the best decision, ensuring the Pharaohs progress to the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations. “Yesterday I started a program of treatment and rehabilitation,” Salah wrote on the X Twitter page after returning to the UK.
“And I will do everything possible to complete the deal and return to the national team… I also love my country and its people… Try harder.”Earlier this week, Egyptian agent Rami Abbas Issa confirmed that his client would be out for 21 to 28 days. After suffering a hamstring injury on January 18, his fitness to participate in the AFCON finals is in doubt due to this schedule.
If Egypt, who finished three group stage matches unbeaten, can barely advance. If the Pharaohs do not exit the tournament without Salah, he could target an early return in 20 days for the semi-finals on February 7. If this is not possible, he hopes to be able to participate again in the final show on February 11.If Egypt are to play the third-place match on February 10, they will have to decide whether to wait for his return.
Furthermore, the four-week layoff could see the 31-year-old miss both games. Regardless of how much progress Egypt make at the AFCON, Salah will be without Liverpool for the duration of the tournament. After missing the FA Cup third-round win against Arsenal, the League Cup semi-final against Fulham and the Premier League away game at Bournemouth, he will now also miss the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Norwich City. .
League match between Chelsea and Arsenal.A return to Burnley on February 10 could be possible depending on progress at the AFCON in Egypt and if he can return three weeks later. If not, it is much more likely that Liverpool will return to Brentford on February 17.
