Premier League clubs prepare for AFCON exodus

LONDON, Dec 12 : Players heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations should depart with the blessing of their respective clubs according to Everton manager David Moyes, but his viewpoint might not be shared by rivals who face weeks without some of their top names.

The majority of Premier League clubs will be impacted in some way by the 24-nation tournament that kicks off in Morocco on December 21 and concludes on January 18.

With no mid-season break in the Premier League, six rounds of fixtures are scheduled during AFCON as well as the FA Cup third round and League Cup quarter-finals.

Promoted Sunderland, who have defied expectations to stay in the top half of the Premier League table, could be the worst affected with six players going to the tournament, while the likes of Fulham, Manchester United, Burnley and Crystal Palace will also have to make do without some key personnel.

Moyes will lose Senegal duo Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye as they head off after their clash at Chelsea on Saturday.

"This is their last week, as is the case with many other football clubs, and we have to completely respect the tournament," Moyes told reporters.

"The players have to go and play for their countries, and rightly so. It is a great thing that they have been selected for their countries. We wish them well."

MAN UNITED WAIT ON TRIO

Manchester United are still sweating on the availability of Cameroon's Bryan Mbeumo and Ivory Coast duo Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo for Monday's Premier League game at home to Bournemouth as that is the day players are supposed to report for international duty.

"I don't know if it's going to be the same situation (when each player goes to AFCON)," manager Ruben Amorim said on Friday. "Every national team has