Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has reportedly decided to rest Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah for Egypt’s AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia on 9th June.

According to manager Ehab Galal, the Egyptian superstar played through an injury in his country’s 1-0 win against Naby Keita’s Guinea. And he refused to undergo scans when he joined his country’s camp after returning for Liverpool.

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“Salah was suffering from an injury and played through it.” Manager Ehab Galal said.

“He rejected Liverpool’s request for an X-ray before the game and will now undergo it.”

Having now undertaken that scan, the Egyptian FA have confirmed that a “slight strain” was detected. And he is to miss his country’s clash with Ethiopia on Thursday.

“The technical staff of the Egyptian national football team, led by manager Ehab Galal, have decided to rest Mohamed Salah for the Ethiopia match scheduled for June 9 of this month after he underwent scans that proved the presence of a slight strain.” A statement said.

Having suffered a groin injury prior to the Champions League final, it could well be a reoccurrence of the same issue for Salah, meaning patience in recovery will be key.

Being left out of Egypt’s next game will come as a relief to many.

Egypt are favourites to progress from Group D of the AFCON qualifiers. They have already beaten Guinea while fans would fancy them to avoid losing against Malawi and Ethiopia.

Egypt then have a friendly coming up against South Korea on Tuesday, 14th June, which could see Salah come face-to-face with the man he shared this season’s Premier League Golden Boot with- Son Heung-min.