Ahly s influential winger Ramadan Sobhi has defended the club s medical staff after being blamed of being a reason behind his long absence in recent months, insisting that resuming his European career is his priority in the coming period.
The 23-year-old winger, who is on a season-long loan at his boyhood club from English side Huddersfield Town, has been out of action since injuring a hamstring muscle in December.
After three months of being sidelined due to injury, Sobhi has rejoined the Reds trainings on 15 March but unfortunately he couldn t appear in the pitch after the sudden suspension of all sports activities in Egypt due to over the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.
"The long absence was due to several reasons as I did a huge effort in the U-23 African Cup of Nations last year and then I resumed matches with Ahly without a sufficient rest," Sobhi said in an interview with Ontime Sports TV channel on Tuesday.
"The coach told me that he is obliged to depend on me after the league s resumption following the nations Cup end and I already played many successive matches," he added.
The return date of Sobhi to the club s trainings changed more than one time as the player didn t recover on time.
"The injury was a sever one. It was a muscular tear not just a strain like what was reported. The medical staff diagnosed the injury perfectly and the doctor told me at the time that I will be sidelined for eight weeks, but the absence lasted more as I felt more pains," the Pharaohs player Sobhi explained.
" I preferred not to risk myself until full recovery but sadly the league was suspended," he added.
Next step
Sobhi has been a revelation in the early stages of the season, scoring five goals in nine appearances as Ahly made an explosive start to the defence of their Egyptian Premier League title.
Doubts raised over Sobhi s future with the Cairo giants after ending the loan spell especially after his injury, but despite of his desire to resume his European career, he left the door open for extending his stay with Ahly.
"I want to stay with Ahly, but resuming my European career is my priority. Playing and shining in Europe is my dream," he said.
"My loan spell will end on 31st June, but it may be extended to continue both the domestic league and the African Champions League with the team," he concluded.
Holders Ahly are at the top of the league table with 49 points, 16 points ahead of second-place Arab Contractors.
