Boss Claims Liverpool Star Is Set To Make Swift Return From Injury

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has claimed that Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane will make a swift return to fitness and be available for their World Cup qualifiers against South Africa, according to TeamTalk.

Mane limped out of Senegal’s qualifying win over the Cape Verde Islands earlier this month after sustaining a hamstring strain during the closing stages of the game.

The attacker returned to Liverpool to have the injury further assessed by the clubs medical team and the Merseysiders confirmed last week that Mane was facing six weeks on the sidelines.

It meant he was aiming to get himself fit for the visit of former club Southampton to Anfield after the November international break while the trip to Sevilla three days later may have been seen as a more realistic target.

However, it looks like Mane is making a speedy recovery as Cisse claims the Liverpool star will be 100% fit and available for selection for Senegal’s World Cup play off double header against South Africa on November 10 and 14.

The Senegal coach revealed Mane is already doing individual running sessions and will step-up his recovery next week by doing ball work so it looks like the attacker is on course to making a swift return to action.

Cisse is quoted as saying by TeamTalk:

“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.”

It remains to be seen what Liverpool will make of these comments or whether Mane is going to be ready to feature for the Reds before the international break.

Cisse says the 25-year-old will be “100% fit” by the 10th November which suggests he would have seen some action for Liverpool before Senegal take on South Africa.

If that turns out to be the case then it will come as a huge boost to Liverpool and Mane could feature in games against Maribor or West Ham next month before the 2-week international break.

However, if Senegal plan to rush Mane back sooner than Liverpool want then it won’t go down too well with Jurgen Klopp as the last thing he needs is his key man aggravating the injury while away with his country.

A club vs country row could be brewing….