Manchester United and Manchester City could be handed a headache next January after it was confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will take in January and February of next year.
The tournament was moved to the summer following a decision by their executive committee in 2017, but after just one competition, the decision has been taken to move the competition back to its original mid-season slot.
The issue was discussed on Wednesday when the executive committee met in Yaounde, Cameroon, and president of the Confederation of African Football, Ahmad Ahmad, had previously stated that a return to its original winter date would be better for the competition.
One of the reasons for the change is thought to be the temperature and weather being more favourable in the opening two months of the year.
As a result of the change, a host of Premier League clubs will be without a number of their star players for up to six matches next season.
Manchester United will lose Eric Bailly, if he is still at the club by that point, while City will be without Riyad Mahrez, who helped captain Algeria to Afcon glory in the summer.
Liverpool will lose Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Naby Keita.