Cameroon’s coach has revealed Carlos Baleba was “lightly injured” when playing for his country.

But he hopes a precautionary and pre-planned early exit will enable the Albion man to play in the country’s next fixture.

Baleba was shown being stretchered off during the 4-1 in over Kenya in an AFCON qualifier.

But he was also seen walking away, seemingly without problems.

Cameroon coach Marc Brys said the staff are taking good care of a player who has become a key part of Albion’s midfield this season.

Brys told a lively press conference: “He was lightly injured so we want to have him for the next game.

“That is why I took him out.”

Brys said he told Baleba at half-time that he would be replaced 15 minutes into the the second period.

The substitution was officially timed as being made in the 65th minute.

Baleba departed with his side leading 4-1 and the points secured.

Cameroon are close to securing qualification as they go into the return fixture with Kenya, which is being staged in Kampala, Uganda at 2pm on Monday, our time.

Seagulls fans will keep as close an eye as possible on his participation in that fixture given his importance to their team in the Premier League.

Fabian Huerzeler confirmed recently, replying to a question about Evan Ferguson, that the club maintain contact with national teams when their players go away on representative duty.

Albion winger Yankuba Minteh scored a late equaliser to save Gambia from embarrassment by Madagascar.

Minteh’s intended left-footed cross from the right curled inside the far post untouched in the seventh minute of added time to force a 1-1 draw in Casablanca.

Both teams remain winless after three rounds of fixtures.

Minteh played the full match. The return fixture, also in Morocco, takes place at 3pm on Monday, our time.