Sonko is regaining fitness after returning from a horrific injury

Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko admits it will be a wrench to leave the club for African Nations Cup duty next month.

The 26-year-old has only just reclaimed his place in the Royals' starting line-up following nine months out injured.

Ruptured cruciate knee ligaments put his career on hold but he is now one of the first names on the Reading team-sheet.

But Sonko is also expecting a call-up to the Senegal squad.

This means club boss Steve Coppell will have to do without him for vital fixtures in January and February.

He said: "If they call me, I would like to go. I think the manager here would understand.

"I am 26 now and it is time for me to start playing international football.

"The managers do understand that players want to play for their countries.

If they call me, I would like to go. Reading and Senegal defender, Ibrahima Sonko

"It is annoying though because I don't want to be leaving Reading as well but at some point I have to play for my country."

The temporary exodus of African stars will hit many other Barclays Premier League sides.

Sonko would prefer it if the competition was put back a few months.

He said: "The timing is wrong and if they changed the dates then we wouldn't have all these problems.

"Maybe we should do it in May at the end of the season when everyone will know where they stand in the league and most players can just go free."