Trabzonspor’s Algerian defender Essaïd Belkalem is doubtful to feature in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after aggravating a hamstring injury in the Turkish S?per Lig on Monday.
The 25-year old centre-back had to be replaced just before the half-hour mark in Trabzonspor 1-4 home defeat to Eksisehirspor.
While Belkalem is still expected to join the Fennecs’ training camp in Algiers on Friday to be assessed by the national team’s medical staff, Algeria’s coach Christian Gourcuff has called up Osasuna’s defender Liassine Cadamuro as a potential replacement.
Struggling to recover from a toe injury, Newcastle midfielder Mehdi Abeid could also be ruled out of the continental showpiece and replaced by FC Metz’ s Ahmed Kashi.
The ‘Fennecs’ will kick off their AFCON campaign against South Africa in Mongomo on January 19, before facing Ghana and Senegal in their Group C.
