Kwadwo Asamoah is prepared to snub Ghana's Nations Cup in January if his Italian club ask him to do so, Italian media have said.

The midfielder, just back from a four-month injury lay off is quoted as saying he will be willing to help his club's campaign in Serie A than play a part in the Black Stars quest for a fifth title in Angola.

“This is an important year for me and I think I have done well recently,” he is quoted as saying. “I know I can improve a lot especially my finishing needs working on.

“Ghana is my nation and playing at the African Cup of Nations would be a big honour but if Udinese asked me to stay in Italy I would. If the team needs me I am not going.”

The Ghana Football Association can stop Asamoah from playing for Udinese if he chooses not to play in the Nations Cup but it is the public damage a statement like this, if they are true that Asamoah underestimates.

Ghana is keen to bag the Nations Cup title again and will send all its big guns to Angola including Michael Essien.

The Chelsea star suffered a massive dip in popularity when in 2006 he picked up an injury before the Nations Cup. Because there had been suggestions he would be happy to miss the Nations Cup he was massively criticised with members of parliament suggesting he should never be allowed to wear the Ghana colours again.

Asamoah may be risking a similar backlash if the comments attributed to him are true.