Egypt's goalkeeping coach Ahmed Nagy has opened the door for the return of Ahly's goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy to the national team amid the preparations for the World Cup after the recent injury of Zamalek's keeper Ahmed El-Shenawi. "It is normal to call Ekramy for the national team. He is a veteran international keeper and one of Egypt's basic squad. He played our last official match against Ghana and was one of the best players," Nagy told an Egyptian radio station on Tuesday. After some shaky performances with Ahly that cost him his place in the starting line-up in favour of teammate Mohamed El-Shenawi, the 34-year old Ekramy wasn't included in Egypt's first training camp for this summer's much anticipated World Cup in Russia. The Pharaohs, who reached the World Cup finals after ending a 28-year old drought, camped in Switzerland in March, where they lost in two friendly matches against Portugal and Greece. Egypt's Argentinean coach Hector Cuper has called up goalkeepers Mohamed El-Shennawi and Ismaily's Mohamed Awad, giving them their first taste of international football in the two games. Zamalek's goalie Ahmed El-Shenawi and veteran keeper Essam El-Hadary were also available at the camp, but the first was recently hit with a knee injury that will sideline him for months, paving the way for Ekramy's return to the scene. "I wish Ekramy the best of luck. I know that he will play against Wadi Degla today," said Nagy. For the first time in a while, Ekramy has been called for Ahly's league match against Wadi Degla on Tuesday, a step that will boost his chances of returning to the Egypt squad, which needs an experienced keeper. "I am very sad for Ahmed El-Shenawi. He was totally unlucky," added the goalkeeping coach. "I talked to him after the injury and I told him that he will be the first player to travel to us in Russia. He deserves that, because he has been with the team since the World Cup campaign started. I wish him a speedy receovery. "The injury of El-Shenawi proved that calling-up a fourth keeper in the preparations is a must and so we will do that in the coming period," he concluded. Egypt have been placed in Group A at the World Cup along with hosts Russia, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The team is due to hold another training camp ahead of the World Cup in May, where they will first play Kuwait and then Belgium. A third match will be against South American powerhouses Colombia on 1 June in Milan. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
