CAIRO: Wigan Athletic striker Amr Zaki is going to get back in action in nearly a fortnight and will be able to catch Egypt s trip to Algeria in the World Cup qualifiers, his agent Nader Shawki revealed. The 26-year-old picked up a knee injury in the Lastics 3-1 loss at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League a couple of days ago, and was stretchered off the field. Although Zaki seemed to be badly hurt, Shawki assured the injury of the robust hitman was not as serious as first thought. Zaki received a nasty knock on his knee and got his ankle twisted, the agent told FilGoal.com. But the medical tests he underwent indicated that he will only be sidelined for two weeks. The Zak will miss Wigan s next two Premiership matches against Manchester United and Stoke City respectively, and is expected make his domestic comeback against Portsmouth on May 24. More importantly, he will be able to feature for Egypt in their eagerly-anticipated World Cup qualifier against Algeria on June 7. Zaki believes an Egypt failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup will be unfair. The Pharaohs, who won back-to-back Nations Cup titles in 2006 and 2008, are favorites to finish on top of Group C and reach the South Africa finals. But a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Zambia in their group stage opener prompted fears about Egypt s chances of reaching the World Cup for the first time since 1990. The six-time African champions next face a stern test against North African rivals Algeria on June seventh. I know that reaching the World Cup is never easy, but missing out on it will be unfair, Zaki told Algerian paper Echorouk on Wednesday. We are the African champions so we deserve to play in the World Cup. First, we have to avoid losing any more points and should focus on claiming wins at home and on the road. It is also very important that we don t lose against Algeria in our next game. Zaki, who is on loan at English side Wigan from Zamalek, will be sidelined for two weeks after hurting his ankle and knee in the 3-1 Premiership defeat to West Bromwich last weekend. I m doing my best to recover as soon as possible and be available for Egypt. Egypt are scheduled to face Oman on May 31 in a warm-up for the anticipated clash against Algeria.
