OLDHAM Athletic say they could be without Dylan Bahamboula for a total of 20 days because of international duty and Covid restrictions.

The midfielder joined up with Congo after helping Latics to secure their first League Two win of the season, at Sutton United, on Saturday.

Congo have World Cup qualifiers away to Namibia, today, and at home to Senegal next Tuesday.

However, Latics were unsure of how long the 26-year-old would have to quarantine for on his return and were awaiting confirmation from the Congolese FA.

Namibia is on the UK’s red list for international travel. The rules state that anyone travelling back from red list countries, even elite sports people, must isolate in a quarantine hotel for 10 days and take two Covid tests.

The Oldham Times understands it has been requested that Bahamboula has no involvement in that fixture. However, it is likely he would be mixing with players who had been in that bubble as they prepare to host Senegal next week.

Congo is on the UK’s amber list for travel, which means anyone on the exemption list returning from that country must quarantine in the place they are staying for 10 days and only leave to take part in a work activity – in this instance training or a match – and test twice on their return unless fully vaccinated.

Asked how long Bahamboula was expected to be absent for, Latics head coach Keith Curle said: “That’s something we’re waiting for clarification from the Congo FA. There’s dialogue going on amongst ourselves and the Congolese FA regarding when we can get him back, when it’s deemed that their bubble is open and closed.”

Asked what the worst case scenario was, Curle added: “Worst case scenario is when he comes back from the final game it may be another 10 days in isolation.

“But it’s eight words – it is what it is, deal with it. That’s what we do.”