Ghana Coach Chris Hughton Not Worried By Injuries to Key Players Ahead of Madagascar Clash

• Chris Hughton remains confident ahead of Ghana's game against Madagascar
• The Black Stars have been dealt with serious injury problems ahead of the trip to Antananarivo
• Gideon Mensah joins Inaki Williams and Alexander Djiku on the injury list

Black Stars coach, Chris Hughton has opened up on the growing injury situation in camp ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

Defender, Gideon Mensah became the latest player to pull out of the squad after suffering an injury during Auxerre's final game of the season.

He joins Athletic Bilbao forward, Inaki Williams and RC Strasbourg centre-back, Alexander Djiku as players ruled out of the penultimate AFCON qualifier.

Hughton earlier replaced Williams and Djiku with Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer and Kasim Adams respectively, but will travel without cover for Mensah.

"It's an opportunity for somebody else. This is an international team. There is no absolute standout first 11. Whatever the squad is, whether 24 or 25, the players, they are all pushing to start," he said at a presser on Tuesday, as quoted by Ghanasoccernet.

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The Black Stars will continue preparations on Wednesday before the team leaves for Antananarivo on Friday for the game on June 18.

The four-time African champions need at least a point to secure their place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year.

Mensah suffers injury blow

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the Black Stars have been hit with another injury blow after defender Gideon Mensah pulled out of the squad for the upcoming game against Madagascar.

Forward Inaki Williams and defender Alexander Djiku were withdrawn from the squad due to injuries.

Mensah's injury means the Black Stars have only one left-back for the trip to Antananarivo to face Madagascar in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Black Stars hold first training

The Black Stars of Ghana held their first training session in Accra on Monday ahead of the penultimate Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

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Twenty-three out of the twenty-five players who reported to camp participated in full training as the players warmed themselves up ahead of Sunday's game in Antananarivo.

Thomas Partey and Gideon Mensah were the only players who did not take part in training, and are expected to join the rest of the team on Tuesday as preparations continue.