It is bad news for Ivory Coast but Gambia ironically beams as elephant's first choice goalkeeper Boubacarr Barry is omitted for shoulder injury.

A medical document from Belgium Pro League club Lokeren declares the net-minder unfit for the Ivory Coast World Cup qualifier game against Gambia Scorpions. Barry is the sole professional goalkeeper in Ivory Coast arsenal and his absence could be welcomed news for bottom-rocked Mancini's travelling Scorpions. While Barry will be unavailable for selection, surrogate goalkeepers Sylvain Gbohouo, Ali Badra Sangare and Abdoul Karim Cisse - all local home players -are expected to keep at bay Gambia's attacks.

Ivory Coast are hoping to consolidate their four-point lead on top of Group C by outplaying the visiting Scorpions who have obtained just one point in two games and sitting at the bottom of the group. Coach Sabri Lamouchi surprisingly dropped Ivorian talisman Didier Drogba from the squad, as well as his former Chelsea mate Salomon Kolou. But Drogba could be n line for future qualifiers it is reported. Gambia meets Ivory Coast for the first-leg of the WCR qualifiers on Saturday.