The African Cup of Nations finals are set to at last fall in line with the wishes of Newcastle United and other major European clubs.

Player of the finals in 2015, Newcastle’s Christian Atsu had to settle for being named in AFCON team of the tournament.

After 6 games in 18 days in Gabon, including 5 full 90 minutes, Christian Atsu is on his way back to Tyneside.

Mohamed Diame and one other can head home from the African Cup of Nations after today.

No new signings yet but Rafa now knows when he could get some African Cup of Nations players back.

Christian Atsu “I am glad that Newcastle United knows where I stand with representing my country.”

Christian Atsu says that ‘with or without money’ he and his teammates will be doing their best to win.

”It (missing club football to play in African Cup on Nations) is a worry to many players, especially the foreign (based) players, it affects us a lot.”

DR Congo include Chancel Mbemba in their 31 man provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations, 2 other Newcastle stars having missed out.

Ghana, DR Congo and Senegal yet to name their squads but Newcastle will now have a maximum of three players at the African Cup of Nations.