Boateng fit to face Uruguay

JOHANNESBURG — Ghana expects Kevin-Prince Boateng to be fit for its World Cup quarter-final against Uruguay after recovering from a right thigh injury. Boateng missed training Monday but team spokesman Randy Abbey said Tuesday he should be available for Friday's game.

Abbey said Boateng had been "rested" but "will be fine." Abbey also said Isaac Vorsah was back in training after a week out with a right leg injury, while doubts over fellow defenders John Mensah and Samuel Inkoom had also cleared.

Ghana, the last African representative at the World Cup, will be without suspended players Jonathan Mensah and Andre Ayew.

Doubts also surround Asamoah Gyan, who hurt his ankle in training Monday and left the session with his foot wrapped in an ice pack. Ghana's Football Association does not expect the striker to miss Friday's match at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

An African team has never reached the semifinals of the World Cup but will seldom get a better chance than Ghana's opportunity.

The 16th-ranked Uruguay is listed 16 places higher than Ghana by FIFA, but is appearing in the quarter-finals for the first time in 40 years.