James Copnall BBC Sport

Fadiga is on the road to recovery

Senegal will go to next year's Nations Cup finals in Tunisia without Khalilou Fadiga who is still recovering from a viral infection.

The midfielder, a crucial member of the Lions team, will not recover in time from heart problems that threatened to derail his big move to Italian club Inter Milan.

Fadiga completed light training with the Lions prior to their friendly win over Ivory Coast on 15 November, raising hopes that he would make the Nations Cup squad.

But his agent Pape Diouf confirmed to BBC Sport website on Friday that the 28-year-old will not be at Tunisia 2004.

Doctors are convinced he'll be able to start playing again in mid-January Pape Diouf Fadiga's agent

Diouf said Fadiga "is disappointed not be going to Tunisia" after a medical examination this week revealed he is not fully cured.

Fadiga's absence from the Nations Cup finals will come as a huge blow to Senegal coach Guy Stephan.

Stephan has tried a number of options on the left, including Ousmane Ndoye, Henri Camara, Frederic Mendy and El Hadji Diouf, but none of them have looked convincing.

Nevertheless, it is not all gloom and doom as Fadiga is said to be on the way back to full health.

"His illness is getting noticeably better, and the doctors are convinced he'll be able to start playing again in mid-January," said Diouf.

That would be too late for the winger to regain the fitness needed to take his place in Stephan's squad.

But it does mean that his on-off move to Serie 'A' giants Inter should be on again.

However, Diouf remains cautious: "To play in Italy, he needs the approval of the medical commission.

"Fadiga needs to be given the green light by the Lombardie medical commission, as they are the only people able to give him a licence to play football."