Which obviously asks the question ... with 95% of football world-wide played between August and May ... why have FIFA allowed this competition in January?
Big Sam will lose first team regulars Oba Martins, Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye and Geremi, and other Premiership clubs will suffer just as bad, as will major clubs in Spain, Holland, Germany, Italy, France and Portugal.
Toon Could Lose Seven Players In January?
The tournament lasts three weeks in total, from January 20 until February 10 - and players are expected to link up with their respective countries a fortnight before the big kick-off.
Mort: "They are very important players to this team, and Sam and I have talked about just how we will get through that period.
"We are developing a squad that should be capable of dealing with absentees, whether this is because of the African Cup of Nations or something else.
"Inevitably, we will have our fair share of injuries and we are trying to put together a squad that can cope.
"Some teams are affected more than others. Portsmouth have a big African contingent too, while Chelsea will lose the likes of Drogba, but most Premier League teams will suffer."