Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac expects to have his first-choice centrebacks back to face Germany in the Black Stars' final Group D match on Wednesday.
Skipper John Mensah and fellow stopper Isaac Vorsah both missed the 1-1 draw with Australia on Saturday through injury, forcing Rajevac to rely on teenage duo Jonathan Mensah and Lee Addy in the heart of his defence.
Rajevac revealed that both experienced defenders might have been able to play against Australia if he had been willing to risk them missing out on the Germany game.
"John felt a pain in his calf muscle and with all the injuries he had this season, we did not want to take an unnecessary risk playing him," Rajevac told AFP. "But he will be fine to play against Germany."
Vorsah was sidelined by a knee problem. "We rested him because we know the game against Germany is the most important for us," Rajevac said.
Ghana will go into the match at Soccer City needing a point to reach the last 16 and it will be a night to remember for Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was born and brought up in Germany.