Ghana suffer Appiah blow

Ghana will be without captain Stephen Appiah for next week's friendly against Senegal because of injury.

The 26-year-old was named in coach Claude Le Roy's 26-man squad for the game in London.

But the Frenchman's hopes of getting the Fernerbahce midfielder for the game suffered a jolt on Tuesday after doctors revealed he has not recovered from a left knee injury.

Appiah had surgery on the nagging injury in May after suffering the blow while playing for the Turkish champions last season.

The midfielder's absence is not only a blow to the Black Stars but also to Fenerbahce who were humbled 2-0 by newly-promoted Istanbul BB in last Saturday's opening league match.

Appiah, who is the playmaker for Fenerbahce, is keen on returning to the pitch by next month to boost the chances of his club.

More importantly, however, Ghana will host the Nations Cup in January next year and Appiah will take no chances with his fitness before that tournament.

He said: "The most important thing for me is to be fully fit to play for my country at the Nations Cup.

"My country is hosting the event next year and I am doing everything possible to keep myself fully fit and in shape for tournament.

"That is the ultimate goal."

Meanwhile, Le Roy is closely monitoring the injury situation of the other influential Black Stars player Michael Essien.

The midfielder suffered an ankle injury after scoring Chelsea's winner in their 3-2 win over Birmingham in the English Premier League on Sunday.