West Brom star can add to one international cap after deserved call

Albion star Ousmane Diakite will have the chance to continue his burgeoning international career with Mali after a latest call-up.

The midfielder have enjoyed an excellent start to the season as a linchpin in James Morrison’s side.

He shone once again in midweek at Derby as Morrison’s men climbed to the Championship’s summit with a fourth victory in six.

Diakite, 26, has started all six of Albion’s league fixtures and completed 90 minutes in all but one, where he came off in the final seconds of the curtain-raiser win at Norwich.

The popular Diakite made his international debut for the African nation earlier this year, with a substitute cameo in a goalless draw away in Russia.

The midfield powerhouse could add another three caps to his tally in the upcoming break, which begins after next weekend’s Black Country derby away to Wolves.

Mali, managed by Frenchman Anthony da Silva, face two African Cup of Nations qualifiers, at home to Cabo Verde on Friday, September 25 and away to Liberia on Tuesday, September 29.

The first international break of the new season is a new, extended pause from league action with three weeks of international fixtures. Mali then play a friendly in Tunisia on Saturday, October 3.

Morrison’s men are back in action with another local derby, at home to Birmingham City the following Saturday, October 10.

Diakite’s fine form was rewarded in the summer with a new three-year contract at The Hawthorns, until 2029.