Every single EFL player heading to AFCON along with…

Every single EFL player heading to AFCON along with Mohamed Salah and Riyad Mahrez

The 33rd Africa Cup of Nations get under way in Cameroon on January 9, having been delayed a year due to the pandemic.

Algeria will be looking to defend their crown, having seen off Senegal in the 2019 edition final.

This year's tournament sees another 24 teams compete with the final taking place on Sunday, February 6. To allow teams to cater for any Covid cases, coaches have been permitted to name larger squads consisting of a maximum of 28 players.

As well as global superstars such as Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez, clubs in the English Football League (EFL) are also well-represented at the tournament.

Who will win the Africa Cup of Nations 2021? Let us know in the comments section

At present, 18 players are heading out although that could change once provisional squads are firmed up.

QPR pair Ilias Chair and Seny Dieng are among those preparing for the showpiece.

Forward Chair will be part of Morocco's squad as he looks to add to his seven caps. The 1976 winners begin their campaign on January 10 against Ghana.

Chair's Rangers' teammate Dieng will be hoping to feature for Senegal, who have never won Africa's premier competition.

Goalkeeper Dieng, 27, made his international debut back in March. His country face Zimbabwe in their opener, also on January 10.

Another Championship player who will be heading to the tournament is Middlesbrough's James Lea Siliki.

The 25-year-old will be representing hosts Cameroon, whose five AFCON victories is only second behind seven-time kings Egypt.

Siliki has found his opportunities at Boro sparse since arriving on a season-long loan from French club Rennes and has yet to feature under new boss Chris Wilder.

Other Championship players involved are Fulham's Jean Michael Seri (Ivory Coast) and West Brom's Semi Ajayi (Nigeria) whilst Reading duo Baba Rahman and Andy Yiadom are in the Ghana squad.

Elsewhere, two League Two players are heading to Cameroon with The Gambia.

Salford's Ibou Touray and Forest Green's Ebou Adams are both hoping to make an impact as their country prepares for their debut appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Long-serving Salford defender Touray has seven caps, whilst Rovers' midfielder Adams has eight to his name.

The Gambia's first-ever AFCON match is on January 12 against Mauritania.