The veteran striker, who plays for Guingamp in the French first division, was hurt in a league match against Metz last weekend and Algerian officials have admitted they are not sure how serious the injury is.
But caretaker coach Abdelhamid Kermali says a final decision will be taken after his staff have spoken to, or had a look over, the 32-year-old striker.
A replacement is on stand-by although his identity has yet to be released.
Tasfaout is key to Algeria's attacking hopes in Dakar, given his record of 28 international goals since his debut for the Fenecs 10 years ago.
Saïb handed recall
He is one of just four foreign-based players picked for the away trip by Kermali, who is working with Hamid Zouba until Rabah Madjer takes over the post on a permanent basis next month.
The others are Moussa Saïb, the veteran midfielder who is headed from Auxerre to Monaco at the end of the season; Djamel Belmadi of Olympique Marseille and young play-maker Nasreddine Kraouche, based in Belgium with Ghent.
Saïb refused to play under previous coach Abdelghani Djadaoui, who resigned after last month's 5-2 thrashing in Egypt and has won a place at the expense of Paris SG midfielder Ali Benarbia, who missed last month's African Nations Cup qualifier in Burundi without explanation.
Kermali was also hoping to give a debut to another Marseille player, Brahim Hemdani, but was asked to leave the player with his club until Marseille's precarious position in the French league had been strengthened.
Defensive performance likely
The only newcomer for Saturday's tie is Fares Mekhalfi of Entente Setif. The defender is expected to play in Dakar.
Algeria have just three attackers in their 18-man party, suggesting that it will be a defensive performance from the north Africans against the fast-improving home side
Although they lie fourth out five countries in their World Cup qualifying group, Algeria are just two points behind leaders Senegal. A draw in Dakar would keep them alive in the race.
The other Group C match this weekend is Morocco at home to Namibia, who have a poor away record.
Goalkeepers: Merouane Abdouni (USM El Harrach),
Slimane Ould Mata (CR Belouizdad), Hichem Mezair (USM Alger)
Defenders: Aziz Benhamlat (JS Kabylie), Hassane Bouaicha (CR
Belouizdad), Rabah Doghmani (USM Alger), Moulay Haddou
(Mouloudia Oran), Faris Mekhalfi (Entente Setif), Mounir
Zeghdoud (USM Alger)
Midfielders: Djamel Belmadi (Marseille,
France), Sid Ahmed Benamara (JSM Bejaia), Billel Dziri (USM
Alger), Nasreddine Kraouche (Ghent, Belgium), Moussa Saib
(Auxerre, France), Mohamed Talis (CR Belouizdad)
Strikers:
Zafour Bendahmane (JS Kabylie), Issaad Bourahli (Entente Setif),
Abdelhafid Tasfaout (En Avant Guingamp, France)