Atsu out of World Cup qualifier

Ghana winger Christian Atsu has been ruled out of this month’s World Cup qualifiers against the Comoros Islands because of injury, his English club Bournemouth have revealed.

The talented player has between three to four weeks to recover from an injury that has kept him out of action since September, says Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe.

Atsu has been ruled out of action for about two months now after picking up a stress fracture while on international duty in September in their match against Rwanda in Kigali.

With the Black Stars scheduled to play the Comoros Islands in two weeks’ time in their first qualifier for the tournament in Russia, Bournemouth says he needs three week to recover which would make him unavailable for the Ghana match.

“Unfortunately we haven’t seen Christian here for about a month. It’s going to take time for him to get fit again. It has been a real shame,” Howe said before Sunday’s meeting with neighbours Southampton.

“The timeframe is unknown at the moment but it is a stress fracture on his shin. We don’t think it is anything serious, there will be no long-term problems but he may be back at Chelsea for another three to four weeks.”

Atsu’s absence is a major play for Ghana as he is coach Avrma Grant’s most reliable player from the right wing and also provides some creativity in midfield.

The Black Stars must win the two-legged match to be able to reach the group phase of the qualifiers for Russia.