Sunderland defender Lamine Kone insists they won't miss him during the African Cup of Nations.

The powerful defender will be off in the new year to the African Cup of Nations after he was yesterday named in Ivory Coast's provisional 24-man squad.

“My relationship with Papy is good and the relationship with the whole team is happy," Kone told the Sunderland Echo.

“It will not to be too bad, our captain is a very good player and he will play.

“I have played with Sheasy this season and he's a good defender, he will help Papy.

“Papy is a good player, we work every day at training and he plays very well and he's a good guy.

“The first games were difficult for him but now he is playing well – he had good games against Leicester, Chelsea, Watford and Man United, I am very happy for him."