Leeds United defender Rui Marques will join up with World Cup finalists Angola next week, according to national coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves. Luanda-born Marques, 28, will attend a training camp session at Marbella in Spain as Angola gear up for the African Nations Cup finals in Egypt.
Marques could miss up to seven weeks of the Championship season, should he make the 22-man squad for the Nations Cup.
"It will be a long time but its really important for me," he said.
"I have not played [for Angola] in a while.
[The Nations Cup] will help me get my confidence back.
"I think the club accepts and understands that it is a good chance for me.
"I don't feel I will break into the first team at Leeds soon so I must have this chance to get my games.
"Only by working can I prove that I have the quality to play in the first team."
The former Benfica defender has made only one appearance for Leeds since joining from Maritimo in the summer.
MMIX
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews 