Former Arsenal striker Gervinho is out injured from the Ivory Coast’s November 12 World Cup qualifier against Morocco and a friendly with France three days later, joining Eric Bailly on the sidelines.

Manchester United defender Bailly was already out of action with knee trouble suffered in last month’s 4-0 thrashing at Chelsea.

Gervinho, 29, who joined China’s Hebei Fortune from Roma in January, is set to miss out on January’s AFCON 2017 in Gabon after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament.

Better news for the Elephants is that Hertha Berlin striker Salomon Kalou, who missed last month’s qualifier with Mali, is back and in the squad unveiled by Michel Dussuyer.

Three new faces are goalkeeper Axel Kacou of French side Tours, striker Nicolas Pepe, also based in France with Angers, and midfielder Jules Eboue of Russian side Krasnodar.