By Piers Edwards BBC Sport, Dakar

Reading's Ibrahima Sonko is likely to be named in the Senegal squad

The president of the Senegal Football Federation (FSF), Mbaye Ndoye, is in no doubt the 26-year-old will make the Teranga Lions' final 23-man squad.

"The problem with Sonko is now solved," Ndoye told BBC Sport.

"I have discussed it with the coach and it's no problem. Ibrahima is ready now, and he can be very important in our defence."

Sonko has turned down Senegalese call-ups in the past and withdrew from the 2006 Nations Cup squad a month before the tournament to focus on his club football.

However, Senegal's former under-23 captain announced his desire to compete in Ghana on Saturday.

Sonko is also eligible to play for France under Fifa rules, moving to the country just six months after his birth in southern Senegal.

Should he make it to Tamale, the centre-back could be a key man for the Teranga Lions as they take on Group D rivals Tunisia, Angola and South Africa.

"Senegal does not have a good defence but Sonko is a good defender," Mboye explained.

"If Senegal had a good defence, Senegal would have a perfect team."

Henri Kasperczak's side have conceded goals in their last five matches, including five goals in November's friendlies against fellow finalists Morocco and Mali.

They have just two further friendly games, against Namibia and Benin next month, to sort out their defensive problems.

Sonko has started Reading's last seven matches in the Premier League and has yet to be booked since returning from a long-term injury lay-off.

Ndoye added that Senegal's provisional squad for Ghana should be named on 23 December, one day before the Confederation of African Football's deadline.