Mohamed Salah World Cup 2018

Egypt’s forward Mohamed Salah applauds during an international friendly football match between Portugal and Egypt at Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on March 23, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI

World Cup 2018: Injury-hit Mohamed Salah named in Egypt squad

Even if he was on crutches, you’d still have to take him.

Mohamed Salah World Cup 2018

Egypt’s forward Mohamed Salah applauds during an international friendly football match between Portugal and Egypt at Letzigrund stadium in Zurich on March 23, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Fabrice COFFRINI

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah was included Monday in Egypt’s World Cup 2018 squad despite still undergoing treatment for a shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final, the Egyptian Football Association said.

Salah, who hit a stunning 44 goals for Liverpool last season in all competitions, was forced out of the final in tears last month clutching his left shoulder after being wrestled to the ground by Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.

His side went on to lose the final 3-1, following a Gareth Bale brace and some questionable goalkeeping from Lorius Karius. In the half-hour he was on the pitch, Liverpool were at their most dangerous.

Initially, it was feared that Salah would miss Egypt’s rare berth at this tournament. But he’ll be travelling with the squad to Russia in a desperate bid to get fit.

Mohamed Salah will go to the World Cup

Salah has undergone treatment in Valencia, Spain, in the hope of playing a role in Egypt’s first appearance in the World Cup since 1990.

On Wednesday, the federation had said Salah would be out for “not more” than three weeks, meaning he could miss Egypt’s opening World Cup Group A fixture against Uruguay on June 15.

Egypt then face Russia on June 19 and Saudi Arabia on June 25.

World Cup 2018 – Egypt squad:

Goalkeepers: Essam El Hadary (Al Taawoun/KSA), Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly).

Defenders: Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahly), Saad Samir (Al Ahly), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hegazi (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Ali Gabr (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa/ENG), Mohamed Abdel-Shafi (Al Fateh/KSA), Omar Gaber (Los Angeles/USA), Mahmoud Hamdy (Zamalek).

Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal/ENG), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Sam Morsy (Wigan/ENG), Mahmoud Abdel Razek (Al Raed/KSA), Abdallah El Said (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Hassan (Kasimpasa/TUR), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City/ENG), Amr Warda (Atromitos/GRE), Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim (Al Ittihad/KSA).

Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/ENG), Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly).