Roberto Mancini expects Yaya Toure to join up with the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations and miss five weeks of Manchester City's season.
The Italian had hoped that Toure and his brother Kolo would opt to miss the tournament in favour of staying with City during their Premier League title push.
However, it now appears that the 29-year-old midfielder will depart for international duty following the FA Cup match with Watford on January 5.
"It is difficult," said Mancini. "I think he will go to the African Nations Cup after the Watford game."
The tournament in South Africa runs from January 19 to February 10.
