Eric Bailly.

Big game on the horizon for Bailly

Monday 15 November 2021 11:06

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly is set to feature in a huge make-or-break World Cup qualifier for Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

The centre-back, who has worked his way back into the Reds' side of late for the games against Atalanta and Manchester City, missed the 3-0 win over Mozambique due to suspension.

However, he is part of a full squad at coach Patrick Beaumelle's disposal for the crunch clash away to Cameroon in Group D of the African section.

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Shaw and McTominay have been ruled out of this evening's World Cup qualifiers.

Bailly looks set to start at the heart of the defence as the Elephants must avoid defeat in order to remain top of the group, with Malawi and Mozambique out of the running.

Ivory Coast have 13 points, with Cameroon one behind, heading into the final fixture, which kicks off at 19:00 GMT in Yaounde.

Beaumelle's men won 2-1 in the corresponding fixture in September and are unbeaten in their last 10 games.

Ajax attacker Sebastian Haller scored both of the goals on that occasion and he could be a key figure again, with Cameroon missing their leading forward in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

There is no Amad in the Ivory Coast squad as he still works his way back to 100 per cent fitness after injury.

Topping the group does not clinch a place in Qatar next year as the 10 winners of each pool are drawn into five home-and-away play-offs to decide the continent's representatives in the finals.

DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, Morocco and Senegal have won their sections and await the other four qualifiers.

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