The Ghana Football Association has confirmed that Christian Atsu has pulled out of the squad to face Sudan in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

The FC Porto player suffered an ankle injury after just ten minutes in their league match against Maritimo over the weekend.

Checks have revealed he will be unavailable for Ghana’s crucial qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah said: “We have spoken to FC Porto doctors and it is impossible for Atsu to recover in time for the game against Sudan. So officially, Atsu is out of the game.

“We wish him speedy recovery and will continue to monitor his progress.”

This means Ghana’s initial 24-man squad has been reduced by one.

Atsu played at the just Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa as a debutant where he scored one goal.

Black Stars squad:

Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), Fatau Dauda (AshantiGold), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals).

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Yaw Frimpong (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Richard Kissi Boateng (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Baba Abdul Rahman (Greuther Furth, Germany), John Boye (Rennes, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Isaac Vorsah (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg United, South Africa)

Midfielders: Emmanuel Frimpong (Fulham, England), Rabiu Mohammed (Evian, France), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy), Wakaso Mubarak (Espanyol, Spain), Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Albert Adomah (Bristol City, England)