Pantsil returns to training

Ghana has been handed a massive boost with news that defender John Paintsil has started training after recovering from injury.

The England-based player is now in the final phase of his recovery as he has started jogging on Thursday before he joins his Fulham team-mates.

This means he will be fit to play for the Black Stars at the World Cup in South Africa in June and help Fulham in the latter parts of the Premier League season.

Paintsil has been out of action since suffering a serious knee injury in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in December.

With the progress the wing-back has made, he is now expected to return to full combat action by the end of this month in the English Premier League.

The former West Ham defender has been badly missed by Fulham with Paintsil being one of the side's best performers before suffering his injury.

He was forced to miss the recent African Cup of Nations due to the injury and he is still on course for a full return before the English season ends.

Fulham are confident the right-back would return later this month.