After being left out of the Black Queens 25-“man” released by head coach, Yusif Basigi due to injury, Black Queens captain Florence Okoe believes she is still an integral member of the team.

The 29-year-old who is a member of the Ghana Police service female team was excluded from the 25 players invited to begin preparation ahead of the 2014 African Women’s Championships in Namibia.

The Police ladies midfielder who was expected to undergo surgery last week has been battling with a knee injury since coming off the bench in the Black Queens qualifier against Burkina Faso at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Many have attributed the former TeBe Berlin and Madonna Lady’s midfielder’s injury to old-age after she underwent a surgery few months ago.

But the experience midfielder who is nicknamed “Lampard” remains optimistic and believes she is still an essential member of the Black Queens team.

“Anytime you sustain an injury there are a lot of things that goes through your mind. I can see new faces joining the team whilst most of the old guys are gradually fading out. It’s a matter of time. Am a woman and I cannot play football all my life. So when my time is up I think I will pave way for the younger generation but for now I still think I can continue to play once surgery is performed on my knee” she said.

She also denied reports that her injury is as a result of old age. “I don’t think it will be right to say my injury is as a result of old age. For me it is one of the setbacks of the game and I am hoping to get back soon so I can continue to help the team especially at the World Cup stage because I have strong hope that Ghana will qualify for the World Cup”.

The hard-working midfielder who is famed by her swift and constructive distribution of passes has represented Ghana at four African Women’s Championships competitions starting from 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

She also has two World Cup tournaments to her credit, 2003 and 2007 respectively.

Okoe has been described as an assiduous leader ever since taking the mantle from former Black Queens captain Grace Adwoa Bayor.