AFCON: Everything you need to know about the tournament and just how much Sunderland will be impacted
Sunderland will be posed with their biggest test of the season in December when key players depart for the Africa Cup of Nations
Sunderland are set for a significant challenge next month when the Africa Cup of Nations begins and a number of key players depart to represent their country at the tournament.
With the competition now fast approaching, we take a look at just how big an impact it will have on the Black Cats...
So which players are actually likely to be taking part in the tournament?
There is still a question mark over Habib Diarra and to what extent he will be able to feature for Senegal, with the midfielder still recovering from groin surgery. At the moment the plan is for Diarra to return in time for the Wear-Tyne derby before heading to the competition, but Régis Le Bris has made clear that the club won't take any risks with the 21-year-old.
Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku regulars for and so almost certain to be selected by DR Congo, while Reinildo will play for Mozambique and Bertrand Traore for Burkino Faso. Both are regulars for their respective nations. Sunderland also appear increasingly likely to lose Chemsdine Talbi. The winger is not at this stage a regular for Morocco, but has been named in the squad in each international window so far this season and his Premier League experience has only strengthened his case. Simon Adingra has been a regular for Ivory Coast over the last few years and starred at the last tournament, but was left out of the last squad. Despite that, it would still be a major shock if he was not called up for the competition. So Sunderland will lose six players, but most likely seven.
When does AFCON actually take place and how many Sunderland fixtures overlap?
The dates for the different rounds of the tournament are as follows: The group stages will run from December 21st to December 30th and the round of 16 from January 3rd to 6th. The quarter finals will take place on January 9th and 10th, the semi finals on January 14th. All four teams who make the semi finals will play one further match, with a third-placed play-off on January 17th and the final on the 18th.
As the tournament does not take place during a FIFA window, there are no set dates within which clubs most release their players and as such, it's a mutual decision between Sunderland and the national federations. Director of football Florent Ghisolfi is leading those talks, which Le Bris said last week were going well. While no final decision has been confirmed, it's widely expected that Sunderland's players will feature in the Wear-Tyne derby on December 14th before departing. The club are keen to respect the fact that the competition means a huge amount to the players involved, but are also naturally keen to maximise their availability for crucial Premier League fixtures.
Sunderland's fixtures during that period are as follows: Brighton (A) on December 20th, Leeds United and Man City (H) on December 28th and January 1st. All those who go to AFCON will certainly miss all three of these games. Sunderland then face Spurs on January 4th and Brentford on the 7th - it is possible that any player from a team that gets knocked out in the group stage could make these fixtures. However, it's worth noting that of the 24 teams who have qualified, three quarters will progress to the round of 16. That means the top two from each of the six groups progresses, as well as the four best third-place teams. It's very possible therefore that the bulk of those who go to the tournament will miss all five of these fixtures.
Sunderland then play the FA Cup third round, before facing Crystal Palace (H) on January 17th. Any player who makes the final four of the competition will miss all of those games. It's a bit of a perfect storm for Sunderland in that they are losing a significant number of players during one of their busiest stretches of the campaign.
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So just how big a toll will this take on the squad - and can Sunderland cope?
Sunderland will lose two left backs at the start of the tournament in Reinildo and Masuaku, but that's a position where they should have cover for a brief period. Dennis Cirkin is close to full fitness, while Le Bris will also have the option to move Trai Hume across and play either Nordi Mukiele or Lutsharel Geertruida at right back.
Sunderland will also lose two central midfielders, a position that is definitely going to come under strain if Diarra and Sadiki progress through the group stage. Dan Neil and Chris Rigg will be there to step in, but there will be very few options to rotate both from game to game and within games. Geetruida could be an important option in midfield, having made his first appearances for the club from the bench in that position.
Enzo Le Fée is of course a strong option in central midfield, but he has established himself on the left flank and the wide areas are most definitely a position of concern. If Adingra, Talbi and Traore all do go then it will leave only Romaine Mundle as a natural senior winger for Le Bris. Le Fée would therefore be crucial, and Le Bris would also likely have to call upon Eliezer Mayenda in the wide areas.
A successful window means that Sunderland are not looking at any position where they will be unable to field a strong option, but the heavy fixture schedule is going to place a lot of strain on a reduced squad. One or two injuries to those not heading to the tournament between now and then could pose some major headaches for Le Bris.