MIDFIELDER Khalilou Fadiga has been left out of Senegal's final squad for the African Nations Cup in Eygpt in January, leaving him free for Premiership action with Wanderers.

Coaches Abdoulaye Sarr and Amara Traore have picked their final squad with Fadiga and defender Salif Diao, on loan at Portsmouth from Liverpool, the notable absentees from the squad.

Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko has pulled out to continue playing for Reading.

The 24-year-old, who has one cap, was named in the 22-man squad but would have missed four league games and an FA Cup game for the Championship leaders.

"I have said no and it was a hard decision. It's hard to say no to your country," he told the club website.

"It'll be worth it if we go up, that's what everyone's working towards."

Sonko said he had spoken to manager Steve Coppell before making his decision - and the Royals boss had left the decision up to him.

"I spoke to the manager before the decision and he wanted me to stay but didn't put any pressure on me. I appreciated that," added Sonko.

Fadiga, who has not featured at the Nations Cup since 2002, missed the 2004 tournament as a result of health problems.

Senegalese Football Federation spokesman Mbacke Seck linked Fadiga's exclusion to his failure to secure a regular top-level spot with Wanderers.

But Reebok colleagues El-Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Faye are in the squad.

Senegal, in Group D with Nigeria and Ghana, play their opening match against Zimbabwe on January 23 in Port Said.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Tony Mario Sylva (Lille, France), Pape Mamadou Diouf (Jeanne d'Arc), Cheikh Tidiane Ndiaye (Rennes, France)

Defenders: Ferdinand Coly (Parma, Italy), Lamine Diatta (Lyon, France), Souleymane Diawara (Sochaux, France), Habib Beye (Marseille, France), Omar Daf (Sochaux, France), Pape Malickou Diakhate (Nancy, France), Nguirane Ndaw (Sochaux, France) Boukhary Dram (Paris Saint Germain, France)

Midfielders: Amdy Moustapha Faye (Newcastle, England), Abdoulaye Diagne Faye (Bolton, England), Pape Bouba Diop (Fulham, England), Dino Djiba (Metz, France), Issa Ba (Chateauroux, France)

Strikers: Diomansy Camara (West Bromwich Albion, England), Frederic Mendy (Saint Etienne, France), Rahmane Barry (Lorient, France), El Hadji Diouf (Bolton, England), Henri Camara (Wigan,England), Mamadou Niang (Marseille, France), Souleymane Camara (Nice, France)