Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony has been ruled out of Ivory Coast's World Cup qualifying double-header against Liberia.
Bony limped off in City's 0-0 Barclays Premier League draw at Aston Villa on Sunday because of a hamstring injury, with Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini saying afterwards he did not think the 26-year-old would be able to play during this international break.
And it was subsequently confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday that Bony would not be involved in the Elephants' clashes with Liberia away on Friday and at home next Tuesday due to injury.
Another City player who will not feature in those matches is midfielder Yaya Toure - although he has declared he will be "ready" to rejoin the national team next year.
Toure, who won the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast in February, has not been part of the squad of late having wanted a rest, but it seems he is not about to retire from international football.
Quoted on the CAF website, he said: "I think the next appointment after this (the Liberia games) will be in 2016 with the continuation of qualifying for the 2017 African Nations Cup. In any case, I'll be ready."
Regarding his current absence, Toure said: "With all due respect to our new coach, Michel Dussuyer, I wanted to have a moment of respite.
"I was coming back from a long period of intense activity with the Elephants and the end of an exhausting season with my club Manchester City. I even had injuries.
"During the off-season I cut short my vacation in Abidjan to return to the club so I could be subject to a rigorous fitness programme.
"I had to follow to the letter and strictly my physical preparation programme during this period under the supervision of private coaches. "
Source: PA
