Mane leads Senegal's 23-man AFCON squad

Liverpool's Sadio Mane is one of four Premier League players to feature in Senegal's 23-man squad for the African Cup of Nations.

Mane's absence for a chunk of January had been expected since he signed for the Merseyside outfit in the summer. He's excelled under manager Jurgen Klopp, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 17 league starts.

Joining him on the roster are West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate, Everton's Idrissa Gueye, and Stoke's Mame Diouf - all starters for their respective clubs.

Newcastle's Mohamed Diame also made the cut, but Sunderland centre-back Papy Djilobodji didn't.

Djilobodji's omission is a blessing for Black Cats boss David Moyes, who need not worry about finding a replacement in defence.

Sunderland had already lost Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong to the AFCON.

It is Ligue 1, however, that's supplied the largest contingent of player's to Aliou Cisse's side.

Seven internationals based in France will join the Teranga Lions for the tournament, including midfielder Henri Saivet, who's on loan at St. Etienne from Newcastle.

Senegal kicks off Group B action on Jan. 15 against Tunisia. It then faces Zimbabwe four days later, before taking on Algeria in the group's marquee matchup on Jan. 23.

Below is the squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Khadim N'Diaye (Horoya AC), Abdoulaye Diallo (Caykur Rizespor), Pape Seydou N'Diaye (ASC Niarry Tally)

Defenders: Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor), Cheikh M'Bengue (St. Etienne), Kara Mbodj (Anderlecht), Zargo Toure (Lorient), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes)

Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham), Cheikh N'Doye (Angers), Papakouli Diop (Espanyol), Henri Saivet (St. Etienne), Papa Alioune Ndiaye (Osmanlispor), Mohamed Diame (Newcastle)

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Keita Balde (Lazio), Moussa Konate (FC Sion), Famara Diedhiou (Angers), Mame Diouf (Stoke), Ismaila Sarr (Metz), Moussa Sow (Fenerbahce)