Ghana at odds with Chelsea

Ghana expect Chelsea newboy Michael Essien, seen here in April 2005, to play in Wednesday's friendly against Senegal despite the Premiership club's fears their mutli-million asset could get injured

Ghana expect Chelsea newboy Michael Essien to play in Wednesday's friendly against Senegal despite the Premiership club's fears their 38-million-euro (25.9 million pounds) asset could get injured.

Essien, who was expected to complete his switch to Chelsea later Tuesday, is key to Ghana's hopes of reaching their first ever World Cup finals and national coach Ratomir Dujkovic insisted he expects the 22-year-old to play.

"It is important that Essien plays for Chelsea, but it is more important that he plays for Ghana," the coach told Sky Sports.

Wednesday's match, at Griffin Park in London, is Ghana's last tune-up before their next World Cup qualifier against Uganda on September 4 in Kumasi.

Ghana, known as the Black Stars, currently top Group 4 with 15 points along with South Africa but are ahead on goal difference.

Essien scored in the last qualifying win, a 2-0 triumph in Johannesburg in June.

"He could get injured," added Dujkovic. "But he could get injured against Uganda, it's the same position.

"If Chelsea give us a good reason then we will release him."