By Eric Odanga BBC Sport, Nairobi

Musa Otieno has been included in Kenya's provisional sqaud for the Nations Cup

The team that Kenya will take to the Nations Cup in Tunisia is beginning to take shape as coach Jacob Mulee names 18 players to resume training on 29 December, after a week's break.

Recalled to the side is Chemelil Sugar's midfielder Mike Mururi, who is back after an absence of three years.

Returning from injury are midfielder Walter Odede of Mathare United and striker Bernard Mwalala.

Neither player was able to travel to the recent Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Sudan nor a four-nation tournament in Bahrain.

However there are several names that haven't made it onto the list including Sweden-based Sunday Odhiambo and the locally-based players Lawrence Owino, Ali Mohammed Breik and Nicholas Muyoti.

Mulee however said that this is not his final squad.

"We have decided to cut the team down to 18 to allow for more concentration because there is very little time left now," he explained.

Several foreign-based players are likely to be part of the final squad including Musa Otieno of South African side Santos, Mike Okoth of Heusden Zolderin in Belgium, John Mururi, Robert Mambo of Ghent also in Belgium.

Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Francis Onyiso (Ulinzi Stars) Victor Onyango (Tusker), Duncan Ochieng (Mathare United)

Defenders:
Issa Kassim (Mumias Sugar), Japhet Waweru (Tusker), Anthony Mathenge (Thika United), Adam Shaban (Mathare United), James Mulinge (Kenya Commercial Bank), Edgar Ochieng (Mathare United).

Midfielders:
Tom Juma (Friska Viljor, Sweden), Titus Mulama (Mathare United), Evans Nyabaro (Friska Sleipnar, Sweden), Walter Odede (Mathare United), Mike Mururi (Oserian Fastac)