By Patrick Akoto
Ghanaââ¬â¢s 2014 World Cup campaign is being threatened by an injury crisis after AC Milan confirmed Michael Essien could be out for more than two weeks with a thigh problem. Ã
This comes just days before his team-mate Sulley Muntari was ruled out of action with a calf problem.
The 31-year-old Essien joins a growing list of Black Stars players who are nursing various degrees of injuries with just close to eight weeks to the start of the global showpiece.
Essien replaced compatriot Sulley Muntari at half time during AC Milanââ¬â¢s 3-0 win over Chievo over the weekend.
However, the Italian giants confirmed on Thursday that the former Chelsea midfielder suffered an injury at training and will undergo further test in 10-days time.
ââ¬ÅA.C. Milan announces that Michaelà Essienà has sustained an injury to the semimembranosusà of à his right thigh,â⬠a statement on the clubââ¬â¢s website reads.
ââ¬ÅThe player will undergo further examination in around ten daysââ¬â¢ time.ââ¬
The news will be a major source of worry for Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah who is unhappy about the spate of injuries being picked up some of his key players ahead of the World Cup.
Sulley Muntari an in-form Abdul Majeed Waris are all in the treatment room nursing various injuries with the long-term availability of defender Isaac Vorsah unknown.
Workaholic midfielder Rabiu Mohammed is struggling to return to action after an operation in a latest injury scare which could wreck the side's campaign in Brazil.
Ghana are drawn in a difficult group which includes USA, Germany and Portugal.