Manchester United are reportedly hopeful of having number one goalkeeper Andre Onana available for their next Premier League match, which comes at home to Tottenham Hotspur on January 14.
Onana's career with Cameroon appeared to be over when he had a falling-out with head coach Rigobert Song and the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation Samuel Eto'o during the 2022 World Cup.
However, the 27-year-old was brought back into the international set-up in September, and it was confirmed last week that he had been included in the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Onana is set to be available for Man United's FA Cup third-round contest with Wigan Athletic on Monday despite the fact that Cameroon are due to take part in a warm-weather training camp ahead of a friendly against Zambia on Tuesday.
The competition is due to run from January 13 to February 11, with Cameroon having group games on January 15 against Guinea, January 19 against Senegal and January 23 against Gambia.
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Onana was therefore expected to be unavailable for the clash with Spurs, opening the door for Altay Bayindir to make his debut following a summer move from Fenerbahce.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Man United hope to have Onana for the clash against Tottenham, with the goalkeeper then potentially taking a seven-hour flight to Ivory Coast after the clash with the capital side.
If Cameroon fail to make it through the group stage, Onana could be back for an FA Cup fourth-round contest later this month, should the Red Devils overcome Wigan.
The summer arrival from Inter Milan is thought to have concerns over featuring in the competition, as Bayindir could keep his spot if he impresses in the current number one's absence.
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Onana cannot refuse a call-up due to FIFA rules, meaning that he will feature in the competition, but his exit from Man United could be delayed as long as physically possible.
The Cameroonian arrived at Old Trafford from Inter over the summer, moving to the club as a replacement for David de Gea, who was allowed to leave on a free transfer.
Onana has found it difficult to show his best form for the Red Devils this season, though, conceding 45 times in his 28 appearances, keeping just eight clean sheets in the process.
The goalkeeper has just six clean sheets in the Premier League, conceding 27 times, while he shipped 15 goals in his six appearances in the group stage of this season's Champions League.
Matt Law
