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West Ham are facing a fresh blow with the news that Cameroon are ready to stage a U-turn and call Alex Song up for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The east Londoners were initially delighted last week after the 27-year-old midfielder was left out of Head Coach Volker Finke's squad for the competition, which starts on January 17.

But fans are now set to plead with the former Arsenal star, on loan from Barcelona, to stay after sources close to the Cameroon set-up claimed his country still wants him. A decision is expected to be made soon.

Should his recall be confirmed, Song could miss his club's FA Cup game against Everton and their League clashes against Swansea, Hull and Liverpool.

Song has been frozen out of his country's international set-up since being sent off in their 4-0 defeat at the World Cup for elbowing Croatia's Mario Mandzukic.

In pictures - West Ham unlucky against Arsenal as Song goal is ruled out:

When the squad for the AFCON was named last week Finke stuck mainly to the players that he used in the country's successful qualifying campaign.

Pressure is understood to have been put on Finke, however, to reach out to Song after his impressive performances in the Premier League this season.

Alex Song - West Ham 13 Games 1,021 Minutes 2 Yellow cards

Song is keen to once more represent his country but he is also desperate to repay West Ham for giving him the platform to restore his reputation after he was bombed out from Barcelona.

Despite their two recent defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal, West Ham fans have taken Song to their hearts after his touch of class spearheaded their charge up the table into the European places.