Mendes Gomes international call-up could leave Bolton short in January

Wanderers could face an international dilemma in January after Carlos Mendes Gomes received his first international call-up.

The versatile striker, recently back from injury, has been selected by Guinea-Bissau for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Burkina Faso and Djibouti.

Known as The Djurtus – which is an African wild dog – the country will also take part in the African Cup of Nations, with games against the hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria between January 13 and 22.

Guinea-Bissau have been drawn in the toughest group and have never made it to the knockout rounds in four previous attempts but should they progress, the tournament runs until February 11.

If selected for the squad, Gomes would certainly miss the home game against Cheltenham Town and an away fixture at Leyton Orient as a minimum.

Gomes was born in Senegal to a family of Bissau-Guinean and Gambian descent but grew up in Lanzarote, Spain, before moving to the UK in his late teens.

Wanderers also have Josh Sheehan in action for Wales in the upcoming international break and Northern Ireland pair Dion Charles and Eoin Toal hope to be confirmed in Michael O’Neill’s squad, which will be announced later today.

Source

Leave us short? He's hardly played since he signed.

I think we'll cope.