Middlesbrough striker Mido has admitted he will almost certainly miss the African Nations Cup as he battles his way back from injury.
That means he is unlikely to be available for his country for the tournament, which kicks off in Ghana on January 20.
Asked if he would miss out, Mido said: "Probably, yes. I might just come back one week before the African Cup, or maybe after that, I don't know.
"When you have a bone injury, it is very difficult to put a timescale on it.
"Probably I am going to miss the African Cup, which is disappointing for me as well because I want to help my national team to do well. I have played in the last three.
"The injury came at such a frustrating time and such an important time, but that's football, you have to live with injuries.
"You have to treat it and just go on, and as you say here in England, roll up your sleeves and work on it."
