Hegazi close to early return

The 22-year-old damaged knee ligaments back in December and was normally expected to be out for six months.

However, it seems the Egypt center-half could be available for his nation’s World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe on June 9.

“I have now fully recovered from injury. I just need a couple of weeks to be fit for matches,” he told FilGoal.com.

Since signing from Ismaili last summer, Hegazi featured for only 15 minutes for Fiorentina in the Serie A, but was able to score on his full debut against Juve Stabia in the Coppa Italia.

He has been a key member of Egypt’s defense since making his first international appearance against Sierra Leone two years ago.