Eric Bailly selected for Africa Cup of Nations
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will be absent for a period of time in the new year, as he has been included in Ivory Coast's squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Bailly, who has won 41 caps for the Elephants since making his debut in 2015, is one of 28 players selected by Patrice Beaumelle.
The Premier League is well-represented, with ex-Red Wilfried Zaha and Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe also on the list, but there is no place for Bailly's United team-mate Amad.
Ivory Coast have been drawn in Group E of the tournament in Cameroon, which was originally due to be played last summer before being moved because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Elephants begin their campaign by facing Equatorial Guinea on 12 January, before matches with Sierra Leone and reigning champions Algeria.
The group phase concludes on 20 January, with the knockout rounds running from 23 January until 6 February, when the third-placed play-off and final will both be played in Yaounde.
Should Bailly and co go the distance, that means he is likely to miss Premier League meetings with Wolves, Aston Villa, West Ham and Burnley, as well as the FA Cup third-round clash with Villa on Monday 10 January.
Bailly is aiming for a second African title, having helped the Elephants to glory in 2015, when they defeated Ghana 9-8 on penalties after a goalless final in Equatorial Guinea.