Ousmane Diakite handed Mali call-up and chance of first senior cap | OneFootball

Albion midfielder Ousmane Diakite has been rewarded for his club form with a Mali call-up and the chance of a first senior cap.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the 25-year-old is in the squad for a friendly against Russia in St Petersburg next Tuesday, a 6pm kick-off at Gazprom Arena.

Capped at under-17 and under-20 level, he is yet to play for Mali's seniors. Albion triggered a 12-month option on his contract last week. His inclusion follows a strong spell under head coach James Morrison as Albion battle relegation.

Diakite's run in the XI has coincided with a four-match unbeaten sequence, lifting the Baggies two places and four points clear of the drop zone.

With the match on Tuesday, he will not return to England until Wednesday at the earliest and will likely resume training on Thursday. That could leave Morrison with a decision for Good Friday's home meeting with promotion-chasing Wrexham.

Mali, coached by Belgian Tom Saintfiet for two years, reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in January before a 1-0 defeat to Senegal, and Diakite was not selected. He joined Albion as a free agent in 2024 after leaving Austrian side TSV Hartberg.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com