The Egypt national team has now confirmed a big decision regarding talisman Mohamed Salah amid recent reports suggesting they were struggling just to contact the player.
The Pharaohs' new head coach Hossam Hassan has announced that the attacker will not be joining the side that will take part in the Winsunited Cup in the UAE alongside Tunisia, Croatia, and New Zealand later this month.
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The Reds star picked up an injury during his nation's disappointing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, during their second group-stage game at the tournament.
Since then, he has made just three appearances for his club, starring in Liverpool's 4-1 victory over Brentford in February before being rule out again due to a reoccurrence of his initial knock.
Salah then returned to action last Thursday, making a substitute appearance in his side's 5-1 victory over Sparta Praha in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie.
Most recently, the 31-year-old came off the bench to feature against Manchester City on Sunday, a game that ended 1-1 to leave Liverpool in second place, one point ahead of the Citizens, as the Premier League title race continues.
During the attacker's recovery from his injury, though, Liverpool requested that the Egyptian Football Association exclude him from the national team squad that will compete in the Winsunited Cup.
The federation confirmed in a statement that it would deliberate on the matter and adhere to the player's inclusion if the forward "plays any match in the time before the start of the camp", with it later claimed that they were struggling to reach out to the player on the matter.
Now, however, according to the Pharaohs' head coach, it appears the Reds' request has been accepted as Salah was not included in the manager's 25-man squad for the upcoming international break.
"Salah's exclusion from the final squad came after a request from the player and his club, as he prefers to focus on his recovery and train with Liverpool," Hassan said at a press conference, per Ahram Online.
"Salah is an invaluable asset to the national team, and his presence in the squad adds considerable strength to the Pharaohs. We had hoped for his participation."
The coach went on to explain that the association "cannot force a player to join the squad".
"We do not want to jeopardise his return to full performance following the injury," Hassan concluded.
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