Tongo Doumbia ruled out of action for Mali
Wolves today withdrew midfielder Tongo Doumbia from international duty in the hope of keeping him fit for the Championship.
The Mali international suffered a dead leg in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Blackburn.
On-loan Rennes midfielder Doumbia had been called up for the Africa Nations Cup play-off second leg against Botswana this Saturday.
But boss Stale Solbakken is being cautious with the 23-year-old in the hope he can be fit for Wolves’ trip to Huddersfield on October 20.
“Tongo was called up but he limped towards the end of the game, so we’ve spoken to them (Mali),” said Solbakken.
“We’ve scanned him and he has a small injury but it could be a big injury if we take a chance with him now, so he won’t go this time. It’s a dead leg.”
Wolves, however, are still expecting Doumbia to be called up for the tournament if Mali qualify. They play the away leg in Gaborone on Saturday holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg.
Doumbia joins Kevin Doyle, Razak Boukari and Dave Edwards of those sidelined from international duty.
Boukari is out for a month and misses Togo’s second-leg tie against Gabon on Sunday.
Doyle was ruled out of Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Germany and the Faroe Islands with a thigh injury, which was scanned at the weekend.