Sven resigned to losing Abe

International midfielder Yuke Abe is likely to miss Leicester's start to the new year due to Japan`s involvement in the Asian Cup.

The tournament is being held in Qatar between January 7-29. The Foxes play Manchester City in the FA Cup and have Championship fixtures against Hull, Swansea, Preston and Millwall during the month.

It is not yet certain Abe will be called up to the squad but he played in all of Japan's games during the World Cup in South Africa this summer and boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is resigned to losing the 29-year-old.

"I will be very surprised if he is not selected for the national team. We will lose him, almost for sure," the City boss told the Leicester Mercury.

"It has happened to me as a manager in the past with African players and we just have to deal with it, it is out of our hands."