Essien arrives in Libya today

Midfielder Michael Essien will join the Black Stars camp in Libya later on Monday. The Chelsea player was a major injury doubt for next week's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Libya. This was after his English club hinted that he could miss the game because of a calf injury that has blighted his start to the season.

But he was in action during Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Sunday and came away unscathed.

Essien will fly out along with the other UK-based Ghanaian players on Monday afternoon to join their colleagues for the Group Five game.

The rest of the squad members are expected to also join the team by Tuesday.

Captain Stephen Appiah will join the squad on Tuesday as he is expected to receive his visa to Libya on Monday afternoon.

Ghana must beat the north Africans if they are to maintain their chance of winning the automatic ticket to the next phase of the qualifiers.