West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is set to be without three star players during the  the African Cup of Nations.

Both  Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho look likely to be called up by Senegal whilst Alex Song looks set for inclusion in the Cameroon squad.

The competition takes place between January 17 and February 8 which would rule the trio out for games against Hull (h), Liverpool (a). Manchester United and Southampton (a).

And they could be out of action for either one or both of the earlier games against WBA and Swansea, depending upon the departure date for their training camps.

It’s the kind of situation experienced by other successful Premier League sides and again shows the strides the Irons are making this season.

A source said: “It’s a double-edged sword. You want top players but having got them you will face situations such as this.

“The beauty is as is being seen we have the depth in our squad to cope but they are big players to lose for several games at an important time of the season.

“Having said that it demonstrates that the Hammers are very much back in the big time.”