West Ham are still set to lose Said Benrahma for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations - despite claims of a postponement.
However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has claimed that "urgent attention" is needed in some areas by hosts Cameroon before the competition gets underway in early January.
It was suggested across social media on Tuesday that the event would be cancelled due to "infrastructure problems" in the host nation.
That would have been viewed as a potential boost for West Ham who are set to be without Benrahma and potentially Issa Diop for a number of matches. Diop has yet to make a senior international appearance but is eligible to play for Morocco, Senegal and France, and if he declares for either of the two African countries Diop could receive a call-up for the 2022 tournament.
A press release from the Confederation of African Football has revealed that currently, no cancellations are part of the discussions.
However, it detailed that much work was still required in certain areas after a video meeting between the local organising committee and the CAF executives on Monday.
In a meeting chaired by CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe, it was suggested that talks are still needed with those organising the competition in Cameroon ahead of January 9, 2022.
"The Executive Committee received a comprehensive report from the CAF Organising Committee delegation led by Vice President Augustin Senghor and General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, who recently visited Cameroon," read the press release.
"The Executive Committee noted the report and the progress made so far.
"The EXCO emphasised the need to make follow-ups with the local organising committee on the areas that still need some urgent attention ahead of the kick-off on January 9, 2022.
"On the Africa Cup of Nations and COVID-19 situation and preparations for the supporters, the EXCO raised some sanitary matters that will be part of the on-going discussions between CAF and the Cameroon Government."
Benrahma is almost certain to be selected by Algeria and with his country the favourites to retain their crown could miss as many as eight West Ham matches if the Desert Foxes progress all the way to the final.
Those selected, according to The Athletic, could well leave for Africa after the Premier League’s Boxing Day fixtures and they will not return until the second week of February, should their team go all the way in Cameroon.
FIFA rules state "players must be released and start travel to their representative team no later than Monday morning the week preceding the week when the relevant final competition starts."
With hosts Cameroon taking on Burkina Faso in the opener on Sunday, January 9 then that date will be December 27.
The report states ‘discussions between clubs and national FAs are likely to centre on an interpretation of the rules’ and with Algeria not playing their first game until January 11, West Ham could argue Monday, January 3 would be a reasonable departure date.
If this is the case Benrahma would be available for the Premier League matches against Watford on December 28 and Crystal Palace on January 1.
