Egypt reverse decision on Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah request for March internationals

Egypt have agreed not to call up Mohamed Salah for international duty this month despite initially rejecting Liverpool’s request.

Salah has struggled with a hamstring injury in recent months, enduring two spells on the sidelines after first suffering the ailment during Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt in January. The forward hobbled off during his nation’s AFCON group stage clash with Ghana.

After missing six games, Salah returned to Liverpool action in mid-February, before enduring another four game spell on the sidelines with the same problem.

He was only fit enough to appear from the bench in Liverpool’s biggest game of the season so far on Sunday – a top of the table clash with Manchester City – with manager Jurgen Klopp insisting that the club were keen to be cautious with the player’s rehabilitation: “There are things in life you can learn from.

“The last time Mo came back a bit early and was unlucky that he got a little setback.”

In order to ensure Salah isn’t overworked after returning from injury, Liverpool sent the Egyptian FA a request to not call their captain up for the upcoming Winsunited Cup clash with New Zealand on March 22 – a request which was initially denied.

Mohamed SalahMohamed Salah

Salah has struggled with injuries recently / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/GettyImages

“We have already received a letter from Liverpool to exempt Mohamed Salah from the upcoming camp due to his injury,” a statement from Egypt’s FA read.

“We sent the name of Mohamed Salah among the professional players that we are requesting to include in the next camp a few days ago.

“It is our right to include any professional player as long as it is at the time of the international agenda, and the issue of whether or not to include him is in the hands of the national team’s technical staff, led by Hossam Hassan.”

The Athletic now report that the Egyptian FA have had a change of heart regarding Salah’s call up, with further conversations between the player’s club and country resulting in a decision to omit him from the squad.

Despite being set not to feature for his national team later in the month, Salah may start both of Liverpool’s games before then. The Reds face off against Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday before travelling to Old Trafford for a mouth-watering FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester United.

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