Mensah, Kingson expect to be healthy

for Ghana's World Cup campaign

CHANTILLY, France — Ghana defender John Mensah and goalkeeper Richard Kingson both say they're recovering from injuries and expect to be healthy for the World Cup. Mensah injured his left calf playing for Sunderland in the English Premier League. He said Saturday he now feels fine and no longer has pain, although Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac still intends to not play him in pre-World Cup friendlies. Mensah also says he hopes to stay at Sunderland next season. Last season, he joined the club on loan from Lyon.

Kingson says he's still having treatment for a shoulder injury but hopes to be fit for Ghana's opening Group D match against Serbia on June 13.

Midfielder Michael Essien was ruled out of the World Cup on Thursday after failing to recover from a knee injury.