Ghana legend Tony Yeboah says it is about time Michael Essien returned to international duty after the midfielder's recent announcement that he won't be playing in Ghana's upcoming games.

Essien has not played for Ghana since a fourty-five minute appearance at the Nations Cup in Angola last year. He asked to be excused from international duty so he could regain his fitness after an injury he picked up at the tournament kept him out of action for eight months.

But despite being back for Chelsea and being omni-present this season for the side, the Ghanaian says he is not ready to return to the national team yet, not even for the crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Congo on March 27th and the international friendly against England two days later.

Yeboah agrees with the initial decision to stay away but says the issue is beginning to drag now.

"I don't think it was a bad decision because sometimes you look at yourself and know you have to concentrate on your club career. But it has taken too long. Now he is settled, the fitness is good; the performance is not bad so now is the time for him to come back," Yeboah told KickOffGhana.com.

"I don't know the reason why he said that (he won't return in March) but it is the time for him to come back. We gave him the chance to settle down and now I think everything is okay for him. He can't say he won't play for the Ghana national team again. He asked permission to get a break but for me it's a good time for him to come back."