Egypt coach Hector Cuper ‘optimistic’ about Mohamed Salah’s chances at World Cup

Mohamed Salah will be fit and firing on all cylinders in time for the World Cup in Russia, according to his manager Hector Cuper. (AFP)

• The striker was a serious doubt for the World Cup after an altercation with Sergio Ramos
• Egypt open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Uruguay in the Ekaterinburg Arena

LONDON: Mohamed Salah will be fit and firing on all cylinders in time for the World Cup in Russia, according to his manager Hector Cuper.
The Egypt coach said that he remains “optimistic” that the Liverpool star will feature for Egypt during the showpiece tournament.
The striker was a serious doubt for the World Cup after an altercation with Sergio Ramos on club duty for the Reds in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
However, Cuper, speaking after Egypt’s 0-0 friendly draw with Colombia on Friday, insisted medical reports look positive and Salah is edging closer to a return.
“We are optimistic, and every medical report says he will make it,” he said.
“But we still have to prepare for any situation that could happen before we start.
“Salah is not easy to replace, no doubt about that. He is a weapon for us, especially on the counter-attack, making use of his speed and his quality.”
On his side’s lackluster performance against Colombia, Cuper said: “Today we struggled in our attacking performance.
“We tried to compensate that with some team playing, but as I said in the second half we lacked stamina because we have a special condition.
“For religious reasons, players don’t drink nor eat anything, and we actually felt that.”
Egypt open their World Cup campaign on June 15 against Uruguay in the Ekaterinburg Arena.