Mido's chances of featuring in Egypt's African Cup of Nations squad look higher than ever after Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate revealed that he could return to action on January 12th. Southgate is hoping the prolific striker would be fit for the Premiership clash against Liverpool. "We're hoping he will have an involvement of some sort against Liverpool," the former England defender told Boro official website on Wednesday. "We've got to take it step by step. I don't think he will be ready to start but if we can have him in the squad it will certainly strengthen the bench, which will be a nice situation to have." Mido has been sidelined since October 20th with a pubic bone problem and was initially ruled out of Egypt's campaign to defend their African title in Ghana. However, coach Hassan Shehata will now consider calling up the 24-year-old especially after Tersana striker Ahmed Salama has been confirmed a CAN absentee due to injury. The tournament begins on January 20th and ends on February 10th. Egypt will play in Group C along with Cameroon, Sudan and Zambia.
