Watford manager Claudio Ranieri has hinted that Emmanuel Dennis may not be going to the African Cup of Nations due to a discrepancy in the timing of Nigeria’s announcement of his selection.

Dennis is expected to depart for the tournament after the game against Tottenham on New Year’s Day, but Ranieri suggested that there may be a chance that they can keep him at Vicarage Road instead.

The actual issue with the dates is currently not exactly clear, but it is thought to centre around the deadlines for which players can be called up by their national teams.

And speaking after Watford’s 4-1 home loss to West Ham, where Dennis netted his eight league goal of the season, the Italian coach said he would explain further in the due course.

“I’m not so sure I will miss Dennis now. I don’t know if he goes to the national team. We have to wait. We have to wait,” Ranieri was quoted in Watford Observer.

When reminded that Dennis has been selected for Nigeria, and if there is a reason he won’t go Ranieri replied:“Yes, let’s think about this week and then I’ll tell you.”

And asked to expand on the Dennis situation:“Look, I know, it did not arrived at the right moment, we have to wait very well. The national team has time to send the pre-calls [call ups], they don’t respect the days and I want to see very well.”

At the least Dennis is expected to Watford games against Norwich, Leicester City and Newcastle United.