Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha belatedly began training with the Ivory Coast in Abu Dhabi on Friday ahead of their African Cup of Nations campaign.
Zaha, 24, travelled to the team’s training camp in the UAE after scoring for Crystal Palace in Tuesday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Swansea City.
Born in Abidjan, Zaha has won two England caps but both in friendly internationals and not been picked over the last three years.
England manager Gareth Southgate met Zaha last month in a bid to convince him of the potential of future England appearances.
Sunderland defender Lamine Kone also arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday but only after first travelling to Paris for a medical test, the Ivorian Football Federation said.
The Ivorians open the defence of their title in Oyem against Togo on January 16.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohou, Badra Ali Sangare, Mande Sayouba
Defenders: Serge Aurier, Mamadou Bagayoko, Eric Bailly, Simon Deli, Wilfried Kanon, Lamine Kone, Adama Traore
Midfielders: Victorien Angban, Cheik Doukoure, Franck Kessie, Yao Serge Nguessan, Jean Michael Seri, Geoffroy Serey Die
Forwards: Wilfried Bony, Max Alain Gradel, Salomon Kalou, Jonathan Kodjia, Nicolas Pepe, Giovanni Sio, Wilfried Zaha
* Reuters
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