Mohamed Salah has been left out of Egypt’s squad for Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan because the match will be played on an artificial pitch.
The 34-year-old forward, who now plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor, did not travel with the Egyptian squad to Juba for the September 29 fixture.
Salah started Egypt’s goalless draw with Angola in Cairo on Friday but was substituted after an hour.
BBC Sport reports on Saturday that the Egyptian Football Association said the decision to rest Salah was agreed between the national team’s technical staff and the player before the Angola match.
The EFA said the coaching staff, led by Hossam Hassan, preferred to leave Salah out against South Sudan because of the playing surface and to protect the player.
There is a perception among some players and teams that artificial pitches can increase the risk of injury, although research has not established that artificial surfaces necessarily carry a higher overall injury risk.
Salah left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years at the club, having made 442 appearances and scored 257 goals. He won nine major trophies during his time at Anfield.
Since joining Trabzonspor, Salah has made six Turkish Super Lig appearances this season, scoring seven goals and providing two assists.
