Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre insists Santos joins on 10 January

That is the full two weeks before the start of the tournament, as is permitted under Fifa rules.

However the decision is sure to further anger the player's French club Sochaux, who wanted Santos to leave for Tunisia after their league match against Rennes on 17 January.

Lemerre however was unrepentant.

"It is necessary that he comes with us out of respect for the regulations," said Lemerre.

He also refused to contemplate the player's offer of returning to the French side for league matches during the 24 January to 14 February event in Tunisia.

"Once he is involved in the competition, there is no question of him leaving the squad," added Lemerre.

Brazilian-born Santos qualified for Tunisian nationality after playing for the Etoile du Sahel club for four years and was named in the national squad for the first time by Lemerre last month.

The call-up has angered Sochaux with coach Guy Lacombe urging the player not to play at the Nations Cup finals.

However Lemerre said he would not get involved in a war of words with Sochaux.