Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has requested that midfielder Yaya Toure join up with the Ivory Coast squad late so he can play against Wigan at the weekend.
Toure will already be joining their African Cup of Nations camp late to enable him to play in the FA Cup match against Manchester United and the Carling Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
However, Mancini, who is likely to lose Yaya's brother Kolo too, is hopeful that they can delay Toure's departure even further.
"We hope he can remain here until Wigan if it is possible," said the City boss.
"Wigan is one week before the start of the tournament. If he gets to the final, he and Kolo will come back on February 12.
"For us it is a problem. I think if we are on the top when Yaya and Kolo come back, we can win the title."
Toure will join fellow Premier League players Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou in the Ivory Coast squad for the tournament.
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
