Patson Daka could be unavailable for as many as eight Leicester City games when he travels to represent Zambia at the Africa Cup of Nations in December.
Daka has featured in City’s last two fixtures and, given the improvement in form, might now be cementing his place as Marti Cifuentes’ preferred centre-forward.
However, rotation will be required during the congested Christmas schedule, with Daka almost guaranteed to be named in the Zambia squad heading to the competition in Morocco.
Daka is set to miss at least three City fixtures while away on international duty, but could be sidelined for up to eight depending on Zambia’s progress.
The Chipolopolo open their group campaign against Mali on Monday, December 22, meaning Daka is unlikely to be available for City’s visit to QPR on Saturday, December 20, as the forward is expected to have already joined his national team.
He will also sit out the festive clashes against Watford on Boxing Day and Derby on Monday, December 29.
It would be a tall order for him to feature in the encounter with Sheffield United on New Year’s Day, though it’s not entirely out of the question.
If Zambia exit in the group stage, their final fixture will take place on the evening of December 29. Should Daka be assessed as not needing a rest, he could be rushed back to England and rejoin the squad for the clash with the Blades.
If Zambia advance all the way to the final, Daka would also miss Championship fixtures against West Brom, Coventry and Wrexham, in addition to the FA Cup third round.
That scenario, however, would be a major surprise, as Zambia are 100-1 longshots to lift the trophy.
They do, nevertheless, have a fair chance of progressing from the group stage. The top two teams from each pool qualify automatically for the round of 16, while the best four of the six third-placed teams also advance. Zambia will face Mali, Comoros and Bilal El Khannouss’s Morocco in Group A.
The positive news for City is that Ghana dramatically failed to qualify, despite being one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses. It means both Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew will remain available for City throughout the tournament.
Ayew and Julian Carranza will be vying for the striker role during Daka’s absence.