Yakubu Ayegbeni provided the outstanding fantasy performance of last weekend but now could be the time to sell high to an off-the-ball rival. The Everton forward, who scored a hat-trick against Fulham at Goodison Park on Saturday and added another goal against West Ham United in the Carling Cup four days later, is one of a legion of Barclays Premier League players due to compete in the African Cup of Nations that runs from January 20 to February 10.
This is all very well if you are on course to exceed the 38-match PlayTheGame positional limits and can rest your African stars, but otherwise it is worth trying to move them on or recruit cover. Top-flight players could miss six league matches because of the tournament in Ghana, so potential line-up holes should be dealt with now.
Another of the stars from last weekend, Sulley Muntari, has been called up by Ghana, while Kanu, John Utaka and Papa Bouba Diop, his Portsmouth team-mates, are also heading to the tournament. Other Premier League players set for involvement are: Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Joseph Yobo, Steven Pienaar, Obafemi Martins, Habib Beye, Geremi, Abdoulaye Faye, Ibrahima Sonko, Emerse Fae, Abdoulaye Meite, Didier Zokora, Dickson Etuhu and Mohamed Sissoko.
