Rajevac laments injury situation

Kevin-Prince Boateng has received the necessary licence to play for Ghana at the World Cup, but major concerns remain on the health and fitness of key players led by Michael Essien, coach Milovan Rajevac said.
Rajevac told Monday's edition of German sports magazine Kicker that the injury situation was 'a catastrophe' one month ahead of the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa.
'Our personnel situation is terrible. I hope we can use the time until the World Cup that one or another of the experienced players will be fit again.
'There is a big difference whether we play with with or without Essien. But if three captains are missing in (Stephen) Appiah, (Jonathan) Mensah and Essien, then it is really bad.
'He (Essien) is our team leader. Not even Chelsea could replace him, let alone Ghana,' Rajevac said.
The Chelsea midfielder Essien sustained a knee injury during the African Cup of nations which has sidelined him since as the healing process is taking longer than originally expected.
However, all three players are in Ghana's provisional squad named last week. It also includes the Portsmouth midfielder Boateng, who according to Rajevac now has the FIFA licence to play for Ghana after past matches for Germany in youth teams.
'I am glad he has a Ghana passport and the FIFA licence by now,' said Rajevac. Boateng could play against his brother Jerome at the World Cup when Ghana play Germany on June 23. Jerome Boateng chose to play for Germany and is in their provisional squad.
The other group D teams are Rajevac's Serbian countrymen Serbia and Australia. 'Germany are the favourites but Serbia has made an astonishing development as well. And you can not afford to underestimate Australia.
Looking at his team's chances at the second straight World Cup appearance, Rajevac said that 'it also depends on whom I have available.'

Kevin-Prince Boateng has received the necessary licence to play for Ghana at the World Cup, but major concerns remain on the health and fitness of key players led by Michael Essien, coach Milovan Rajevac said.
Rajevac told Monday's edition of German sports magazine Kicker that the injury situation was 'a catastrophe' one month ahead of the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa.
'Our personnel situation is terrible. I hope we can use the time until the World Cup that one or another of the experienced players will be fit again.
'There is a big difference whether we play with with or without Essien. But if three captains are missing in (Stephen) Appiah, (Jonathan) Mensah and Essien, then it is really bad.
'He (Essien) is our team leader. Not even Chelsea could replace him, let alone Ghana,' Rajevac said.
The Chelsea midfielder Essien sustained a knee injury during the African Cup of nations which has sidelined him since as the healing process is taking longer than originally expected.
However, all three players are in Ghana's provisional squad named last week. It also includes the Portsmouth midfielder Boateng, who according to Rajevac now has the FIFA licence to play for Ghana after past matches for Germany in youth teams.
'I am glad he has a Ghana passport and the FIFA licence by now,' said Rajevac. Boateng could play against his brother Jerome at the World Cup when Ghana play Germany on June 23. Jerome Boateng chose to play for Germany and is in their provisional squad.
The other group D teams are Rajevac's Serbian countrymen Serbia and Australia. 'Germany are the favourites but Serbia has made an astonishing development as well. And you can not afford to underestimate Australia.
Looking at his team's chances at the second straight World Cup appearance, Rajevac said that 'it also depends on whom I have available.'