Asamoah Gyan played just a few minutes of Al Ain’s goalless draw away to Al Wahda in the Arabian Gulf League match played on Monday.
The Black Stars captain came on as a 74th-minute replacement for Ibrahim Diaky.
Gyan had only returned to the UAE on Saturday having made a trip to Ghana to support Emmanuel Tagoe clinch the WBA International Lightweight title in a boxing bout organized by his Baby Jet Promotions.
Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic reveals the player is not 100 percent ready to play full matches as he continues to battle fitness issues.
Dalic adds that the Ghanaian striker is being saved for games in the President’s Cup and the Champions League.
“Certainly, Gyan is the team’s top scorer, his readiness has not been completed by 100%, due to the injuries he suffered,” Dalic said.
“Finally, what drives us to maintain the player, as much as possible, even with a full degree of readiness, which requires us to give him some time to stay fit for the President’s Cup and the AFC Champions League.”
