Accra, March 19, GNA - Ghana's trainer, Milovan Rajevac has named Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien in his 22-man squad for next week-ends' 2010 World Cup qualifier against Benin.

Essien, returning from injury that kept him on the side lines for several weeks has hit form to understandably merit a call up. Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that the coach has also made a called up of Rennes attacker, Asamoah Gyan for the next weekend duel which begins the team's second phase of the campaign slated for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Gyan would be playing his first game for the Stars after exiting the team's campaign at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Ghana early last year.

Rejevan has also handed Hoffeinham defender Isaac Vorsah , Udinese's Kwadwo Asamoah and Aurxerre's Moussa Narry invitations. Eleven Wise latest sensation, Rahim Ayew has also gained a debut invitation.

The 22 players are made up of Goalkeepers: Richard Kingston (Wigan Athletic, England) and Philemon MacCarthy of Accra Hearts of Oak, Ghana

Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Samuel Inkoom (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Harrison Afful (Feyenoord, Ghana), Nana Akwasi Asare (KV Mechelen, Belgium), Jonathan Mensah (Free State Stars, South Africa), Jonathan Quartey (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffeinham, Germany), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland)

Midfielders: Daniel Yeboah (Heart of Lions, Ghana), Rahim Ayew (Eleven Wise, Ghana), Moussa Narry (Auxerre, France), Stephen Appiah (unattached), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy)

Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Mathew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Samuel Yeboah (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel) and Prince Tagoe (Al-Ittifaq, Saudi Arabia)