CAIRO: Emad Meteb did not damage the anterior cruciate ligament and should return to action sooner than first thought, Ahly doctor Ihab Ali confirmed on Tuesday. The Egypt striker, who is on loan at Ittihad Jeddah, was injured in a continental match a few days ago and was set for a six-month layoff. However, Meteb underwent further tests in Cairo and a lateral collateral injury was confirmed, which means he will be out for three months. The new scans proved that Meteb has an interstitial tear in the lateral collateral ligament. The cruciate ligament is OK, Ahly chief medic Ali told the club s TV channel. He will need surgery, but he could return after three months. Meteb should be fit before the start of next season, but will certainly miss Egypt s Confederations Cup campaign in June. The 26-year-old s spell with Ittihad is virtually over after he helped the Jeddah giants win the Saudi League title this term. Meteb s agent Nader Shawki asserted that the initial diagnosis of the injury in Saudi Arabia was wrong. The diagnosis from Saudi Arabia was wrong, and that's what caused the consternation, he told FilGoal.com. The new scan was viewed by Egypt doctor Ahmed Maged, in addition to doctor Ali; and fortunately both of them confirmed there is no damage in the cruciate ligament.
