Bakary Sako was included in Mali's 23-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday after appearing in his first club match for a month when he came on as a substitute for Crystal Palace this week.
Sako's availability for the tournament in Gabon was in doubt as he struggled with injury, completing just over 100 minutes of game time for his club in league and cup matches this season.
But the winger came on early in the second half of the 2-1 home defeat by Swansea City in the Premier League on Tuesday and did enough to convince Mali coach Alain Giresse to take him to the tournament.