Egypt have left Mohamed Salah out of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan because the match will be played on artificial turf.
The former Liverpool forward, now with Turkish club Trabzonspor, has not travelled with the squad to the capital Juba for Tuesday’s game.
The 34-year-old started Friday’s goalless draw with Angola in Cairo but was substituted by coach Hossam Hassan after an hour.
“The Egypt national team’s technical staff, led by Hossam Hassan, has decided to rest Mohamed Salah for the match against South Sudan scheduled for 29 September because of the playing surface,” the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said.
“It was agreed between the national team’s technical staff and Mohamed Salah before the Angola match that he would not play against South Sudan, and the technical staff preferred this approach in order to protect the player,” it added.
There is a perception of increased risk of injury on artificial surfaces despite technological improvements, though studies have shown, external there is no evidence of a greater risk of injury.
Salah left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years during which he made 442 appearances and scored 257 goals, winning nine major trophies.
In six Turkish Super Lig games for Trabzonspor this season he has seven goals and two assists.
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