Pyramids confirm Mahmoud Saber will miss El Masry match

Pyramids will be without midfielder Mahmoud Saber for their Egyptian Premier League meeting with El Masry on Sunday after he suffered an injury to his anterior thigh muscle.

El Masry and Pyramids are due to meet at New Suez Stadium in the third round of the league, with the absence of Saber confirmed by Pyramids’ medical staff ahead of the fixture.

Pyramids doctor Mostafa El-Moneiry said Saber picked up the injury during the club’s most recent league match against Abu Qir Fertilizers.

“Mahmoud Saber felt the injury during the last league match against Abu Qir Fertilizers. He underwent scans which confirmed that he has an injury to the anterior thigh muscle, and therefore he will miss the El Masry match,” El-Moneiry told Pyramids’ media centre.

Saber has now begun a rehabilitation programme as Pyramids prepare for their next continental commitment. El-Moneiry said the programme is intended to give the 25-year-old midfielder the best chance of being ready for the first leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League against Kenyan side Gor Mahia.

“He is undergoing a rehabilitation programme in order to prepare him for the first leg of the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League against Gor Mahia of Kenya,” added El-Moneiry.

Saber has started both of Pyramids’ league matches this season. He was named in the starting line-up against Ghazl El Mahalla before retaining his place for the game against Abu Qir Fertilizers.

The midfielder completed the entire second match, playing under new Pyramids head coach Rulani Mokwena. He will therefore be unavailable for the meeting with El Masry as he continues his recovery from the muscle problem.

Pyramids go into the third round at the top of the Egyptian Premier League table with six points from their opening two games. They are ahead of Al Ahly, Tala’ea El Gaish and El Masry on goal difference.

The club’s immediate focus is Sunday’s fixture at New Suez Stadium, where El Masry will provide Pyramids with their next league test. Saber’s absence removes one of the options available to Mokwena in midfield, while the rehabilitation work is also being managed with the upcoming CAF Champions League tie against Gor Mahia in mind.