Rayan Ait-Nouri is unlikely to be included in Algeria’s squad for November’s double-header against Togo after failing to take the first step towards resolving his dispute with Brahim Hemdani.

The Manchester City defender left Algeria’s September camp in controversial circumstances following a confrontation with Hemdani around the team’s 3-1 win over Zambia. His return to the national side has since become increasingly uncertain.

Ait-Nouri was expected to make a public statement after Algeria’s friendly victory over Niger on 6 October, but no such intervention has been forthcoming.

According to La Gazette du Fennec, the 25-year-old has also not apologised to Hemdani privately. That apology was understood to be one of the essential conditions for his return to the Algeria squad.

With no progress made, Ait-Nouri is not expected to be called up for Algeria’s two meetings with Togo on 14 and 17 November. The matches are part of the qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

His prospects of returning had already been weakened by his lack of regular football at Manchester City, where he has struggled for playing time since the beginning of the season.

That situation has not improved. Ait-Nouri has yet to open his league account for the club and has so far been limited to brief appearances in the Champions League.

His latest outing came in Manchester City’s 5-1 win over AEK Athens last Tuesday. The former Wolverhampton player came off the bench to play the final 18 minutes.

At the time of writing, the Montreuil-born defender has made only three appearances in all competitions, totalling 123 minutes.