BIRMINGHAM City are hoping to keep Guirane N’Daw for next week’s crucial league match against Ipswich Town at St Andrew’s.

The midfielder is due to leave for Senegal’s African Nations Cup campaign after tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at home to Wolves.

But if Senegal look kindly upon Blues' request to waive the usual release clause of a fortnight before a major tournament, they could have the powerhouse available for one of their Championship games in hand on Wednesday.

Blues today put the finishing touches to his loan extension from Saint-Etienne after telling the French club on Friday that they would be taking up the option.

N'Daw, who has been capped 36 times by Senegal, has established himself in Chris Hughton's team after a slow start to his Blues career.

The African Nations Cup runs between January 21 and February 12 in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.