Source: Team_Talk
Essien vital to World Cup - Rajevac
Ghana boss Milovan Rajevac insists Michael Essien's involvement in the World Cup is vital not just to his country but to the tournament itself.[LNB] The 27-year-old Chelsea midfielder missed a large part of the recently-concluded season due to knee and ankle injuries and has hardly played any competitive football since December.[LNB]It has made him a major doubt for the trip to South Africa and his national boss is hoping he will be fit.[LNB]He told the Ghana Football Association (GFA) website: "Essien is an important player, not only for Ghana but for the World Cup.[LNB]"He is one of the best players in the world and the World Cup is an assembly of the best.[LNB]"Ghana wants him there, the organisers want him there and the world wants him there.[LNB]"Argentina is going and people want to see (Lionel) Messi, Portugal is going and people want to see (Cristiano) Ronaldo, Ghana is going and people want to see Essien."[LNB]Essien, who was due to meet officials from both club and country in London this week, will reportedly link up with the Black Stars at their French base camp on Friday.[LNB]Rajevac revealed that he was expecting Essien to be fit, but insisted that he did have contingency plans.[LNB]He continued: "I am confident he can make it.[LNB]"But if he doesn't make it we have to do without him. There are other young and hungry players who will be equally passionate to play."[LNB]The Serbian coach is also awaiting news on defender John Mensah and striker Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, who are yet to be passed 100% fit for the June 11 to July 11 competition.[LNB]But he is confident, adding: "I hope all (injuries) are cleared before (the World Cup) starts. Some are experiencing injuries.[LNB]"But the World Cup is the best show for the best players in the world. I hope all will come. The competition gathers the best squads and the best players would be there.[LNB]"Once the players are fit, they will come and some would make a big mark."[LNB]Meanwhile, midfielder Stephen Appiah has described his return to the national fold as being like a trial.[LNB]The Bologna player, who led the west Africans at the last World Cup four years ago, has struggled to hold down a regular place in the side over the past two years as injuries and a lack of club football took their toll.[LNB]But after being selected in the 30-man preliminary squad for the training camp in Paris, he is now hoping to prove he is ready for a permanent return.[LNB]He told www.kickoffghana.com: "I have been telling some of the players we are going to play a justifier.[LNB]"I am going to train well and be a part of the team. I want to be in South Africa and I want to show the coach I am ready and I am fit and that this is a different Stephen Appiah.[LNB]"Even when I was playing always I knew I had to work hard to be in the Ghana squad.[LNB]"I didn't see myself as a regular choice so for me nothing has changed and that is what I want to do.[LNB]"I am going to love the competition. There were young ones who did brilliantly in Angola at the Nations Cup.[LNB]"Now we have to struggle first to be in the 23-man squad and then to earn a starting place."[LNB]Ghana, who are making a second appearance at the finals, are in Group D, alongside Germany, Serbia and Australia.
