New Town central defender Drissa Diallo could be set to miss the beginning of pre-season training due to African Nations Cup duty with Guinea. The Blues return on July 2nd, but Guinea face Ethiopia at home in a qualification game four days later.

Guinea are close to reaching the final stages of the competition, to be held in Tunisia, needing only a draw against Ethiopia.

Ex-Town man Finidi George was involved with Nigeria in the last African Nations Cup in early 2002 and missed two months of the season.

Diallo won't be the only player returning to pre-season training late this summer. Darren Bent and Dean Bowditch have both been told they can have an extra few days off after recent England U21 and U17 action.

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