Influential midfielder Michael Essien has assured Ghanaians that he will be fully fit to help the Black Stars when the World Cup qualifiers start next month.
Doubts over the fitness of the Chelsea key player emerged last Thursday when he fainted during the 1-0 win over Everton.
The industrious Essien hit the winner for his club after 41 minutes, clipping a close-range effort over Tim Howard after exchanging passes with Shaun Wright-Phillips.
After scoring Chelsea's goal few days earlier in the 1-1 draw against Wigan, fears of a burn-out for the midfielder have been raised but Essien says he is ever-ready to serve his country.
"I am totally ready and fully fit to play for my country so that we can qualify for our second World Cup," Essien told Ghanasoccernet.
"What happened against Everton was a minor incident and I was able to continue the game.
"I want to assure Ghanaians that I have no health concerns I am ready to roll when the qualifiers start."
Essien has been Ghana's backbone since the injury to captain Stephen Appiah.
He scored some crucial goals for the Black Stars for the country to finish third at the recent African Cup of Nations.
Ghana will rely heavily on the midfielder if they are to appear at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
