Amartey among four stars picked for Africa Cup of Nations
LEICESTER City are set to be without defender Daniel Amartey for several weeks due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, writes Amie Wilson.
The 26-year-old Ghanaian has stepped up as defensive cover this season with injuries to the likes of Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana.
Amartey has played a total of 14 times in all competitions this season, scoring once in the Europa League draw with Spartak Moscow, left.
City are set to be without Amartey along with Nigerian internationals Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, and Senegalese international Nampalys Mendy with all four players expected to join up with their nations for the tournament which starts on January 9.
The final of the competition is due to take place on February 6, which means City could be without some players for over a month.
It was confirmed by the Ghana FA last week that the national squad are to attend a training camp in Qatar in preparation for the tournament, with the camp starting on December 22.
“The team will be in Doha for a period of three weeks to prepare for the tournament scheduled for Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2022,” said a statement on the website. “The Black Stars will play three international friendly matches in Qatar to give coach Milovan Rajevac the opportunity to assess his squad for the tournament.
“The Black Stars will depart Doha for Yaoundé on Friday, January 7, 2022 to take on the rest of Africa at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon,” the statement added.
Amartey’s inclusion in the squad means the defender is not expected to be available for tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at Liverpool, as well as the Boxing Day match at Man City and another clash with Liverpool just two days later on December 28.
The defender had missed the last three games in all competitions but Rodgers confirmed that he would have been fit enough to make the squad in the postponed Premier League clash against Tottenham last week.
It is hoped in his absence that Jonny vans and Caglar Soyuncu will be fit enough to make comebacks from hamstring injuries picked up in the 4-0 win over Newcastle.
Jannik Vestergaard and Filip Benkovic are also expected to be available after being included on the list of players missing through positive Covid tests or illness ahead of the Europa League clash against Napoli.