Boateng awaiting knee scan before Egypt clash

Ghana and Schalke midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has said he will undergo an MRI scan before he decides on whether to join the Black Stars squad for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Egypt on 15 October.

Boateng is a major doubt for the first-leg clash after picking up an injury on Saturday.

The 26-year-old, who converted a 16th-minute penalty, was replaced in the second half of Schalke's 4-1 Bundesliga victory over Augsburg after sustaining the injury.

"I had some pain and was hoping it will go away. Knees - that’s always been my problem area," Boateng was quoted as saying on Ghanasoccernet on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Schalke's sports director Horst Heldt said Boateng would not be available for Ghana when they take on Egypt in Kumasi next week.

"I fear that he (Boateng) has to cancel his invitation for the national team," Heldt said.

But Boateng refused Heldt's counsel, saying: "I got a blow out, it is swollen, we must wait and see."

The Black Stars will already miss key defenders Rabiu Mohammed, John Boye and Jonathan Mensah due to injuries when they host Egypt.

The second leg will be held in Cairo on 19 November with spectators, despite security concerns due to crowd violence that cancelled two successive Premier Leagues.

Ghana are seeking to play in the World Cup for the third consecutive time, having reached the quarterfinals in their last appearance in 2010. The Pharaohs are eyeing their first World Cup appearance since 1990.