Asamoah return gives Black Stars a further boost

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah expects Kwadwo Asamoah's return to full fitness to serve as a further boost for his squad ahead of their game against Lesotho in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Asamoah missed out of the 3-1 win over Sudan on Friday after suffering muscle problems but is set to be available for selection when the Black Stars travel for the game in Maseru.

"Kwadwo Asamoah was about 80-90 percent fit but I needed players who were 100 percent fit for this particular game [match with Sudan]," said the Ghana coach.

"I believe that he will be fit for the Lesotho game. When you are playing on such pitches, the astro turf, it's important that you get players who are very comfortable with the ball, to keep moving the ball around and Kwadwo [Asamoah] is one player that we are looking up to."

The Ghana coach has also allayed fears that the suspension of left-back Richard Kissi-Boateng for the Lesotho game after he was shown the red card in the match against Sudan will leave him short in defence.

"I always make sure I have two players in each position. All the players are always are trying to compete with each other so once there is an injury or someone is shown a red card, it shouldn't be problem.

"I have got two alternatives, [I have] got Baba Rahman and Harrison Afful as well, who can play that position. I don't think it would be a problem. What we need to do is to plan our tactics and strategy well in case there is any injury or dismissal along the line, so that the other players can step in."

Ghana will play Lesotho in the penultimate fixture in the second round on June 16.