Egypt coach unsure if Salah will start against Australia

Egypt's national football team coach, Hossam Hassan, expressed uncertainty Tuesday about whether star forward Mohamed Salah will be in the starting lineup for Friday's World Cup last-32 match against Australia. Salah, 34, is still recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up during the team's 1-1 draw with Iran last Friday.

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Salah is a passionate player and he is very much looking forward to making his own contribution.

Salah returned to partial training on Wednesday, a day after the team secured the point needed to advance to the knockout stages for the first time. Coach Hassan stated his priority is ensuring player fitness. "I'm not going to run any risk unless I'm 100 per cent sure he is fit and raring to go tomorrow," Hassan said. "We look forward to him playing tomorrow, but we're not sure if he's going to be in the starting lineup."

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I'm not going to run any risk unless I'm 100 per cent sure he is fit and raring to go tomorrow.

Salah has scored one goal in the tournament so far, contributing to Egypt's 3-1 victory over New Zealand in the group phase. His potential absence or limited role against Australia, a physically imposing team, is a significant concern. Hassan, however, remains confident in his squad's ability to adapt.

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We look forward to him playing tomorrow, but we're not sure if he's going to be in the starting lineup.

"On the African continent we have vast experience with tall players, comparable to the Australia side we're going to face tomorrow," Hassan noted. He drew parallels to facing players from New Zealand, Belgium, and Iran, asserting that the team is well-prepared. Dismissing concerns about player height, he added, "It's not about tall or short. We're not playing rugby here, we're playing football. Not American football, but football and we're fit and raring to go."

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He is one of the best players globally and I'm very lucky to work with him and I'm very happy with our work together so far.