Free State Stars goalkeeper Daniel Agyei insists he is still hoping to be selected as one of the three goalkeepers for Ghana’s 2014 World Cup squad despite not being first choice at his club following a hernia operation.

Agyei has battled to win his place back as first choice since returning from injury at Stars – a club that is also facing a difficult fight of making sure they avoid relegation and the dreaded Play-offs.

“I have long recovered from my injury which is why I actually played against Mamelodi Sundowns (March 18).

“Since then it has been an issue of working hard at training and I am glad the new coaches have also been impressed with how I have been working since I returned from my hernia injury which needed surgery in January,” Agyei told Kick Off.

With game time not coming as often as he would have wanted ahead of the World Cup finals in Brazil, the 24-year-old has also sought divine intervention in keeping his hopes alive.

“God has always had a way of doing His things through every situation that we face as his kids in this world.

“I am not one to complain because the only thing that I can do is to keep working very hard at my game at training. I am staying calm about my situation.

“Of course I still hope to go to the World Cup but for now my focus is on my job at the club because we are not sitting in a good position. We need to get out of this situation as soon as possible but personally for me all I need is that chance again because I feel I have my form back,” says Agyei.

Agyei – who was part of the Black Stars squad in their last World Cup qualifier against Egypt last year – spent the first-half of the season as first choice goalkeeper but following his injury he has since been overtaken by Tshepo Motsoeneng.