Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari says it was almost impossible to expect to make Ghana's AFCON squad after missing a large part of the season through Injury.

Muntari made his first appearance of the season after recovering from ankle surgery in Milan's 3-0 win over Reggina yesterday, a few hours after Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah named a 26 man team for camping in the UAE.

Muntari says he is just happy to be back playing.

“I played and a I feel good, I’m happy. I was out for six months but it didn’t hold me back. It’s better that the national team coach takes players to the African Cup of Nations who are 100% fit and I’ll stay here. I’m sorry to be out of the national side but it’d be impossible to be out for 6 months and then go straight to the African Cup of Nations. "

The midielder's recovery has also come at an opportune time for Massimiliano Allegri's resurgent side as Nigel De Jong's season has been ended by a serious injury and is hopeful of filling the void left by the Netherlands international.

"De Jong is a big loss for us, but I’m back playing now and we try and do well for him. I have to stay fit and try to help the team and do whatever the team and the coach asks of me".

"We can get higher in the league. When there were problems, I always said that the team would come back. Now we want to win the last two games before the winter break and then start the new year as best we can