West Ham United's push for European football next season has been boosted after midfielder Alex Song was not named in Cameroon's squad for next month's African Nations Cup.
Song, 27, has been a key figure in the Hammers' excellent first half of the season which sees them spend Christmas Day fourth in the Premier League table.
The former Arsenal player, at Upton Park on a season-long loan from Barcelona, was sent off while representing his country against Croatia at the World Cup and has not played for the Indomitable Lions since.
On Wednesday the Cameroon FA (FECAFOOT) announced its 23-man squad for the tournament, which is held in Equatorial Guinea from Jan. 17 to Feb. 8, and Song was not named among the midfielders.
That means West Ham will have him available for key Premier League fixtures at Liverpool on Jan. 31 and at home to Manchester United on Feb. 8.