'I will do everything possible to be ready' - Mo Salah sends upbeat message to Egypt fans as he bids to return from injury ahead of AFCON knockouts

The Liverpool star was forced off in Egypt's 2-2 draw with Ghana last Thursday and it remains to be seen how long the 31-year-old will be sidelined for. The forward returned to England for treatment, leading former Pharaohs captain Ahmed Hassan to say he should have stayed to support his team-mates. Following manager Jurgen Klopp saying Salah was the "most loyal Egyptian he'd ever met", the former Roma man has sent an optimistic message to fans.

He tweeted: "Yesterday (Wednesday) I started the treatment and rehabilitation program and I will do everything possible to be ready as soon as possible and return to the national team as was agreed upon from the beginning. I also love it [Egypt] and its people."

In what could be seen at a dig at his detractors, he added: "Try harder".

Salah has been in red-hot form for Liverpool this season, scoring 18 goals and bagging nine assists in 27 matches. AFCON runs until February 11 and it remains to be seen if Salah will play in the tournament again, although Egypt may fall before the final. Liverpool fans will hope their star player is not out for too long as they compete on multiple fronts this season.

After coming second in their group, following three straight draws, Egypt will hope to beat DR Congo on Sunday in the Round of 16 of the competition. The winner will either play Equatorial Guinea or Guinea in the quarter finals on February 2.