Senegal have named Sadio Mané in their squad for two crucial World Cup qualifiers next month despite the Liverpool forward being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Mané is expected to be absent for six weeks having been injured in Senegal’s game against Cape Verde on 7 October – a timeframe that would see him available for selection by Liverpool on 18 November. But Senegal’s coach, Aliou Cissé, has included the 25-year-old in his plans for qualifiers against South Africa on 10 November and 14 November and says he is sure Mané will be fit.
Cissé, a former Birmingham City and Portsmouth midfielder, said: “In my mind there’s no doubt he will be with us for the double-header against South Africa and that he will be 100% fit. Until now he has just been doing some individual training – running in straight lines – but from next week he is going to train harder and start working with the ball.”
Senegal are top of their qualifying group for the World Cup finals next summer but need two points to secure a place in Russia. Their first game against South Africa, which Senegal lost 2-1 last November, is being replayed during the next international window after the referee was found guilty of match manipulation.
Mané is understood to be recovering well from his hamstring injury and Liverpool are unconcerned at this stage about his call-up given the close proximity between the South Africa games and his scheduled return.
However, the final decision on whether Mané plays for Senegal will rest with the player and the national team, not Liverpool. Senegal’s medical staff will remain in close contact with the former Southampton forward during his rehabilitation.
