Ziyech left out of Morocco Afcon squad, plus for Chelsea

Chelsea have been handed a boost amid their busy fixture list with the news Hakim Ziyech will be available in January and February after being left out of Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelsea are set to play at least six fixtures in January, including Premier League games against fellow title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City and London rivals Tottenham.

Thomas Tuchel’s side also face a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Spurs, while they will compete in the Club World Cup in February.

But Ziyech is now set to be available for all of those fixtures due to a reported falling out with Vahid Halilhodzic, the Morocco head coach.

Ziyech has not played for his country since June and missed all six of their World Cup qualifiers this season.

Noussair Mazraoui, Ziyech’s former Ajax team-mate, is also absent from Morocco’s squad amid another rumoured disagreement with Halilhodzic.

READ ALSO AFCON 2021: Nigerian referees missing as usual

With Ziyech absent, Wolves’ Romain Saiss and Watford duo Adam Masina and Imran Louza will be the Premier League representatives in the Morocco side

The Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place in Cameroon between January 9 and February 6, with all 52 matches on parade.