Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini faces losing Yaya Toure for the African Nations Cup.
The Telegraph says Toure is expected to confirm his availability for Ivory Coast's campaign at the 2013 Cup of Nations, in South Africa between Jan 19 and Feb 10.
Having played for his country in this year's Cup of Nations, which saw Ivory Coast lose in the final to Zambia on penalties, Toure had been expected to retire from international football.
But with the Confederation of African Football staging a tournament in 2013 in order to begin a two-year cycle which does not clash with future World Cups, Toure and his brother, Kolo, the City defender, are keen to take what they believe could be their last chance to win the tournament with their country.