Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he will not stop his African stars from going to the 2006 Nations Cup finals.

Three Africans who turn out for the English Premiership champions are key players for their national teams.

Michael Essien will lead Ghana's campaign while Geremi Njitap of Cameroon and the Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba are also Egypt-bound.

The trio could be missing for up to a month if they choose to play at the tournament, which starts on 20 January.

Mourinho said on Friday he does not yet know what the players' intentions are, but will not try to stop them if they are called up.

"We know the rules," Mourinho said. "We know we cannot fight against the rules.

"It is in the hands of the national teams and their managers as well as the players.

"I cannot say to one of my players that he cannot go because I have no power to do that.

"So if they decide between them and the national teams to go, I will not stop them.

"But if, because Essien and Drogba have already qualified for the World Cup, they agree between them that it is better for them to stay with Chelsea than go to the African Nations Cup, I will be very pleased to have them, use them and take care of them.

"But it is something I cannot influence."