Big Names Kept on as Ivory Coast finalise World Cup Squad

Monday night witnessed the deadline for countries to announce their final 23-man squads, and with preparations slowly coming together, at least for the squads, all eyes will now be on the continually ticking clock as the World Cup kick-off draws ever nearer.

Earlier this week, Ivory Coast manager Sabri Lamouchi announced his finalised squad, and in truth, there weren't any really big shocks for Ivory Coast fans – the biggest disappointment will have been the exclusion of Everton frontman Lacina Traore.

Having only played two games for the Toffees in the league, there was never much hope for the 23-year-old, and so it transpired that he was cut.

But there's unlikely to be any uproar over Lamouchi's choices as all the big guns were duly left in position.

And, in truth, they've got a big helping of world-class talent in their ranks. One need look no further than Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure and former Chelsea frontman Didier Drogba to see exactly that.

If Premier League champion Toure can channel some of his winners' mentality, and if Drogba does a boisterous job up front to put opposing defenders under pressure, Ivory Coast should emerge from their group.

And with a somewhat rejuvenated Gervinho and a relentless Salomon Kalou providing the support from the wide areas, they'll pack a serious punch up front.

Of course, they aren't without their weaknesses at the back – their defence went largely untested throughout qualification and their custodian department is lacking any household names – but if they play to their strengths and the draw is favourable to them, they should make it past the second round.

For a full view of the Ivory Coast squad, visit our Ivory Coast team page.

Goalkeepers: Copa Barry (Lokeren), Gbohouo Sylvain (Sewe Sport), Sayouba Mandé (Stabaek).

Defenders: Kolo Touré (Liverpool), Sol Bamba (Trabz0nspor), Jean Daniel Akpa Akpro (Toulouse), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart), Serges Aurier (Toulouse), Didier Zokora (Without club), Constant Djapka (Frankfurt), Viera Diarassouba (Caykur Rizespor).

Midfielders: Cheick Tioté (Newcastle), Yaya Touré (Manchester City), Max-Alain Gradel (St Etienne), Ismaël Diomandé (St Etienne), Geoffroy Serey Dié (Basel), Didier Ya Konan (Hannover 96).

Strikers: Wilfried Bony (Swansea), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Gervinho (AS Roma), Giovanni Sio (Basel), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Mayhis Bolly (Dussledorf).

Extratime.ie will be covering the FIFA World Cup 2014 from the first kick of a ball to the last with reports and news. We will also have regular features from our reporter in Brazil, Macdara Ferris, who is attending the Russia v South Korea game amongst others.