Sulley Muntari admits it will be a wrench to leave Portsmouth after Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at in-form Championship side Ipswich.Midfielder Muntari and team-mates Kanu and John Utaka of Nigeria and Senegal's Papa Bouba Diop next week head to Ghana for the African Nations Cup, which runs until February 10.

Their absence is sure to leave a big hole in Harry Redknapp's side, although Zimbabwean top scorer Benjani Mwaruwari remains as his country failed to qualify and Djimi Traore has not been selected by Mali.

Muntari, who will spearhead Ghana's challenge on home soil, is looking forward to the tournament but concedes he is loath to leave Fratton Park and hopes future events can be held at a different time.

Pompey's £7.2million record signing said: "Because we are doing so well at Portsmouth it is a bit like having to turn off the good music just because your mother has come into the room.

"But there is no higher honour than being picked for your country and in Ghana we have a special responsibility because we are the hosts - and one of the favourites.

"It is still hard, though, to leave your club when the results and performances have been so good.

"We can only hope that something is worked out for the future. I believe the African federation know what they are doing."

Pompey have done their best to hang onto their players as long as possible, taking advantage of a FIFA ruling that states clubs only have to release players 14 days before a tournament starts.

Chief executive Peter Storrie is also in negotiations to try to delay their departures until after next week's Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland.

Storrie said: "I know it has not gone down well with the African international managers but we are still talking to the nations involved, hoping to keep the players a little longer.

"Our priority is the club, of course, and we stand to be without these players for a considerable time."

Redknapp now intends to bring in some players on loans or free transfers to bolster his squad and maintain their push for a UEFA Cup place.

The FA Cup presents another route to Europe, of course, and Pompey have been drawn against the side they beat 1-0 at the same stage of the competition at Portman Road two years ago.

Dario Silva, the tragic Uruguayan veteran who was signed by former Pompey manager Alain Perrin on a free transfer from Sevilla, scored the game's only goal.

Silva was released from his contract little more than a month later after Redknapp had taken charge. Six months after that Silva had the lower part of his right leg amputated following a road crash in Spain.

After ending a five-match run without defeat with a 2-0 win at Reading on New Year's Day, Portsmouth are likely to be unchanged at Ipswich - unbeaten in 13 home games this term - although defender Noe Pamarot is fit again after a hamstring strain and could return.

Midfielder Pedro Mendes is still suffering the after-effects of flu having missed all the festive programme.

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