Egypt have omitted Mohamed Salah from their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan, as the fixture will take place on artificial turf.
The former Liverpool forward, who now plays for Turkish side Trabzonspor, did not make the trip with the team to the capital Juba for Tuesday’s match.
The 34-year-old was in the starting line-up for Friday’s goalless draw with Angola in Cairo, but coach Hossam Hassan took him off 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.
Despite advances in technology, artificial surfaces are widely seen as carrying a higher risk of injury, even though studies have shown that, externally, there is no evidence of a greater risk of injury.
Salah departed Liverpool at the close of last season, bringing to an end nine years in which he made 442 appearances, scored 257 goals, and claimed nine major trophies.
Across six Turkish Super Lig outings for Trabzonspor this season, he has registered seven goals and two assists.
