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Newcastle United will welcome back at least one of their trio of Africa Cup of Nations representatives in the coming days - despite all three progressing to the quarter-finals.

Christian Atsu’s Ghana, Mo Diame’s Senegal and Chancel Mbemba’s Democratic Republic of Congo all qualified out of their respective groups to advance to the last eight in Gabon.

What’s more, DR Congo have been drawn to face Ghana after the Black Stars lost their final group game against Egypt 1-0 to only qualify in second place from their group.

And, with the quarter-finals commencing over the course of this weekend - Senegal take on Cameroon on Saturday evening, before DR Congo face Ghana on Sunday afternoon - it is guaranteed that at least one Magpie will be eliminated in the last eight.

United host Queens Park Rangers at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening, so in theory Rafa Benitez could be able to welcome back at least one of the trio for that Championship clash.

(Image: 2016 Newcastle United)

Yet it appears unlikely that any will be rushed into the fold by then, with Steve McClaren’s return to St James’ Park with Derby County on Saturday week a more likely game for them to be welcomed back.

However, with Mbemba and Atsu’s nations coming head to head, it also means that at least one Newcastle player is guaranteed to reach the semi-finals too.

Whichever of the duo advances to the last four could also find themselves taking on Diame - as well as Magpies loanee Henri Saivet, who is spending the season back in Ligue 1 with Saint-Etienne - for a place in the final, with Senegal also in that side of the draw.

Burkina Faso take on Tunisia and Egypt face Morocco in the two quarter-finals in the other half of the draw in Gabon.

The semi-finals take place next Wednesday and Thursday, with the third-place play-off on Saturday week.

With the final of Africa’s showpiece tournament taking place on Sunday, February 5, Newcastle should have a full complement of players back for the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, February 11.

Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals: