With the approach of the African Cup of Nations next January, West Ham could be without four key players for three crucial weeks next winter. Both Senegal and Ghana have qualified for the African Cup finals meaning Cheikhou Kouyaté, Diafra Sakho, Andre Ayew and Sofiane Feghouli could all play if fit.
The tournament will be hosted in Gabon between 14th January – 5th February 2017 meaning all four could miss league games against Palace, Middlesborough, Manchester City and Southampton.
West Ham hold the record the current Premier League who have had the most African players play for them.
These are the24 players: Marc Vivien Foe, Alex Song, Rigobert Song (all Cameroon), Herita Ilunga (DR Congo), Mido (Egypt), John Pantsil, Andre Ayew (Ghana), Titi Camara, Kaba Diawara (both Guinea), Guy Demel (Ivory Coast), Frederick Kanoute, Modibo Maiga (both Mali), Marouane Chamakh, Manuel de Costa (both Morocco), Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses, Victor Obinna (all Nigeria), Demba Ba, Henri Camara, Mo Diame, Cheikhou Kouyate, Diafra Sakho (all Senegal), Benni McCarthy (South Africa) and Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria).
