New Delhi:
Mohamed Salah faces a tight fight to play in Egypt's FIFA World Cup group games, as per one of Liverpool's physiotherapists.
Club physio Ruben Pons has estimated that Salah would normally need "three to four weeks" to recover from the shoulder injury which he sustained in a tussle with Sergio Ramos during Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid.
"He is sad about what happened but he is totally focused on recovery and seeing when he can be ready," Pons told a leading Spanish daily.
"In principle it will be three to four weeks but we are going to try to reduce those deadlines, that's the big goal," Pons added.
A three-week absence would keep Salah out of action until June 19 while four weeks would see the forward sidelined until June 26, the day after Egypt's last group game. Salah may also then need to regain a bit of match fitness.
Egypt's opening fixture in Group A is against Uruguay on June 15. They then face host Russia on June 19 and Saudi Arabia on June 25.
Salah has now flown to Spain to undergo treatment, along with doctors from both Liverpool and the Egyptian national team.
The 25-year-old had to be substituted during the first half of Liverpool's defeat in Kiev after colliding in tackle with Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos.
He left the field in tears but appeared more optimistic on Sunday, when he wrote on Twitter, "It was a very tough night, but I'm a fighter.
"Despite the odds, I'm confident that I'll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need."
