Egypt defender Ibrahim Saied has pulled out of the national team squad that will face Mauritania in the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier on June 3rd with a stomach injury. The player confirmed that coach Hassan Shehata was forced to omit him from the squad after the medical staff report proved that the 27-year-old is not fit to play. "The medical staff diagnosed a muscle strain in my stomach which requires a 10-day rest, and the coach decided to exclude me as a result," Saied told FilGoal.com exclusively on Tuesday. The Rizespor defender admitted recently that he has been playing through pain during the last two crucial weeks with his club and that he was daily treated with injections. "I shrugged off my stomach pain as I was not 100% fit in the last two league games, and I was eventually taken off at halftime in the last game." The former Zamalek defender could be back in action with the national team after the Mauritania game.
Fadl remains doubtful "I hope to be fit for the Kuwait friendly on June 12th," added the player who was a key part of Egypt's African Nations Cup 2006 triumph. Saied joins goalkeeper Ahmed Saad in the national team's injury list, which also includes Mainz star Mohamed Zidan. Shehata could be forced to exclude Ismaili striker Mohamed Fadl who is also suffering from strained stomach muscles. Fadl, who missed Ismaili's 3-1 win over Masri in the Egyptian cup on Monday, will undergo scans to reveal the extent of his injury. National team doctor, Ahmed Maged, said that the scans will determine whether or not Fadl will be removed from the squad. Meanwhile, the national team's ranks will be complete in Wednesday's training after the arrival of Turkey-based players and their teammates from Ismaili and ENPPI. Ahli defender Wael Gomaa, who was granted two extra days off, will also return to training at the Cairo Shooting club.
