Soccer News of Wednesday, 2 January 2008

Source: ghanasoccernet

Ghana 26-man list out later today

Ghana coach Claude Le Roy is expected to release his list of about 26 players for the pre-African Cup of Nations camping later today.

The list will come out on Wednesday, just hours before the team departs for Dubai where camping will be held.

The Frenchman named a 40-man team last month for monitoring ahead of the camping in the United Arab Emirates.

Sources within the Ghana Football Association have told Ghanasoccernet very few of the new players called in the 40-man squad will make the trip to the Middle East country.

Some regular players of the Black Stars who were in doubt for Ghana's team for the Nations Cup will be included in the squad.

Le Roy has been under pressure from a section of the Ghanaian media to exclude defenders John Paintsil and Francis Dickoh for Sammy Kuffuor and Dan Quaye.

But the recent outstanding performances of the Paintsil and Dickoh with their European clubs have further strengthened the coach's resolve to maintain them in the sqaud.

Midfielder Laryea Kingston, who was said be be an injury doubt, will also travel with the team to continue treatment with the Black Stars international medical team during camping.

The Scotland-based has set 12 January as the date for his return to full action as he has already started jogging.

A contigent of players and officials will travel from Accra later tonight for the camping in Dubai.

Some of the foreign-based players to travel from Accra are stand-in captain John Mensah and striker Asamoah Gyan.