Africa Cup of Nations 2017: Which Championship players are playing in the AFCON?
The Gabon tournament could see teams lose some of their most prize assets for almost a month
THE race for promotion to the Premier League takes another turn as the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway.
Clubs are set to lose some of their star players to the Gabon tournament at such a crucial stage in the season.
As African players prepare to jet off and link up with their national teams, SunSport takes a look at what that means for their respective clubs.
Which Championship clubs are losing players to the Africa Cup of Nations?
There are eight Championship clubs losing players to AFCON.
- Aston Villa (2) - Jonathan Kodjia (Ivory Coast), Jordan Ayew (Ghana)
- Barnsley (1) - Andy Yiadom (Ghana)
- Birmingham City (1) - Jacques Maghoma (DR Congo)
- Cardiff City (1) - Bruno Manga (Gabon)
- Fulham (2) - Floyd Ayite (Cameroon), Neeskens Kebano (DR Congo)
- Newcastle United (4) - Mohamed Diame (Senegal), Christian Atsu (Ghana), Achraf Lazaar (Morocco), Chancel Mbemba - (DR Congo)
- Norwich City (1) - Youssouf Mulumbu (DR Congo)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (1) - Romain Saiss (Morocco)
Which Championship clubs will NOT lose players to the Africa Cup of Nations?
The following clubs will not lose any players:
- Blackburn Rovers
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Bristol City
- Burton Albion
- Derby County
- Huddersfield Town
- Ipswich Town
- Leeds United
- Nottingham Forest
- Preston North End
- QPR
- Reading
- Rotherham United
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Wigan Athletic
Which Championship clubs will suffer most during the Africa Cup of Nations?
Aston Villa
Villa could suffer the most during the Africa Cup of Nations.
The loss of top goalscorer Jonathan Kodjia will rattle Steve Bruce's team.
Ivory Coast's Kodjia, 27, has scored nine times this season for Villa since his big-money move from Bristol City in the summer.
Bruce will be forced to rely upon former Leeds and Fulham star Ross McCormack, who has scored three goals this season, unless he dips into the transfer market.
Jordan Ayew will also be missing for the Villans.
The Ghana forward has split opinions at Villa Park, with an online poll showing 59 per cent of supporters want the club to sell him.
Fulham
The Cottagers could also find Afcon a particularly tough time without Floyd Ayite and Neeskens Kebano.
Ayite has run into form in recent weeks, scoring four in his last four.
But the 28-year-old's departure gives Chelsea loanee Lucas Piazon a chance to shine.
Piazon scored in his last outing against Brighton but has not stood out enough in Slavisa Jokanovic's side.
Newcastle
Toon stand to lose more than any other club to the Africa Cup of Nations, but the one player they will miss most is Mohamed Diame.
The midfielder has been one of their more creative presences in the absence of playmaker Jonjo Shelvey and will leave Newcastle without a central midfielder who can make things happen.
Christian Atsu is a valuable squad player who has been able to change a game as a substitute with his pace and attacking determination.
But Newcastle have strength in depth and enter the January transfer window with more muscle than any of their Championship competitors, so will be able to replace their losses.
Support a team in the Premier League? Find out how the Africa Cup of Nations affects the top flight
How long will players be away for at the Africa Cup of Nations?
Fixtures begin on Saturday, January 14 and some players could miss almost a MONTH at AFCON.
The final group-stage clashes end on Saturday, January 25, so players in teams that fall at the first hurdle could return early to their clubs.
Players who make it to the final will be out of action until after Sunday, February 5.
And for some of the tournament's favourites, such as Ivory Coast and Ghana, this is a likely situation.
This means Aston Villa could not only lose two quality players, but could be without them for the entire tournament.
