Essien fighting fit for Ghana

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is fit to play for Ghana, after recovering from a toe injury.

The 23-year-old scored three goals for the country during World Cup qualification, and will be anxious to justify his position as Africa's most expensive player at the tournament.

The Ghana Football Association has announced that coach Ratomir Dujkovic has his pick of an injury-free squad for their warm-up game with Turkey in Germany on May 26.

Dujkovic has suffered with injuries throughout his time in charge of the country.

Midfield dynamo Essien was one of several key players to miss out on the African Nations Cup in January through injury, as the Ghanaians were knocked out in the first round.

The signing of German midfielder Michael Ballack at Stamford Bridge has put the African's starting place at Chelsea severely in jeopardy, and he will be hoping for a good tournament to re-establish himself in Jose Mourinho's plans for the future.

Ghana have two more friendlies lined up before the World Cup gets underway, playing Jamaica in Leicester on May 29 and South Korea in Edinburgh on June 4.