Ghana call for strike star

Charlton striker Chris Dickson is ready to take his chance on the international stage after been named in the Ghana squad to face Tanzania on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old will depart for Tanzania on Monday to train with the Ghana squad ahead of the friendly game on Wednesday.

And the hitman will then jump back on the plane on Thursday to arrive in the UK in time for the Addicks' clash with Reading on Saturday, August 23rd (12.45pm).

Dickson told the charlton official website: "I'm over the moon, it feels like it has taken a while but I'm ready now to make the transition from league football to international football.

"I'm going to be in and out of the country and the games will be coming thick and fast but it's a chance to represent Ghana which I couldn't say no to. I got the call on Thursday night to notify me that I was in the squad and I'm still trying to take it all in."

Dickson was named in a provisional 40-man Ghana squad last December ahead of the African Nations Cup competition but failed to make the final cut for the tournament.

The star was then sidelined for six months due to a knee injury sustained in a freak accident in the reception of the team hotel before Charlton's game with Stoke City in January.

However, the pacy forward has fought back to full fitness and has now been rewarded with a place in his country's squad.

"I was in the preliminary squad for the African Nations but didn't make the final cut and then picked up my knee injury so it's the first time since then that I've been called up," said Dickson.

"I'm pretty confident I'll be involved on Wednesday, obviously I haven't been in the squad for a while but I'm just going to try and grab this opportunity and hopefully I should get at least 45 minutes."

Ex-Dulwich Hamlet ace Dickson qualifies to play for Ghana through his father and admitted: "I had to keep him tight lipped after finding out initially. He wanted to tell the whole world!

"But if I make an appearance, it's one step closer to becoming a permanent fixture. Hopefully this will ultimately lead to a call-up for the World Cup squad but I'm taking things one day at a time."

Dickson, who hit 11 goals for Gillingham in a loan spell last term, was an unused substitute for the Addicks in their opening day of the season win over Swansea City at The Valley.

He then made his first appearance of the season when he came off the bench in the second half of Tuesday night's 1-0 home defeat to Yeovil Town in the first round of the Carling Cup.

"The result was very disappointing," said Dickson. "Regardless of what team the manager puts out we should be progressing in the cup competitions. But we started the season well against Swansea and there's no reason why we can't go to Watford this weekend and do the business there."

Plumstead-born Dickson is likely to be on the bench again on Saturday when the Addicks face the Hornets but admits he is itching to get a first-team start for Alan Pardew's side.

He added: "I'm finally back to full fitness and I'm feeling good. I just want to break into the first XI and start banging in the goals."