Appiah to travel for Senegal game

...despite injury
Ghana captain Stephen Appiah will travel to London for Tuesday's friendly against Senegal despite nursing a knee injury.

The 26-year-old was named in coach Claude Le Roy's 26-man squad for the game but doctors of his Turkish club Fenerbahce revealed he has not recovered. However, the midfielder is keen on building the team spirit of the Black Stars ahead of the country's hosting of the African Cup of Nations in January.

"I will be in London for the game on Tuesday – that's for sure," Appiah said.

"Our team-building exercise starts for the Nations Cup starts from now so we need to start building on the camaraderie in the team which is crucial for the duration of the Nations Cup.

"The good thing is we are already good friends in the squad.

"But there some new young ones who have come in so I need to be around and with help of the other senior players we can encourage and help them settle well in the squad.

"Our coach is determined to help us win the Nations Cup and we must also prove to him that we are ready for the challenge."

Appiah was granted permission by Fenerbahce to join the Black Stars even though he is still undergoing treatment from the doctors of the Turkish champions.

"I am happy that Fenerbahce have allowed me to travel to London as I was scheduled to meet the doctors on Monday and Tuesday.

"I will travel with my physio to London so nothing would be lost.

"My recovery process is going on well and I thank Ghanaians for praying for me to get back soon.”