Accra, March 10, GNA - Black Stars Deputy Coach, Akwasi Appiah says talks that sought to define whether Michael Essien must be axed from the national Team A in the wake of the player's self imposed exile is misplaced.

Essien has yet to play for Ghana since his second half appearance against Cote d'Ivoire in a group phase clash at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola and talk on how his future with the team must be handled is soaring.

The Deputy Coach told GNA Sports 93Essien is a great player which every coach or country will love to have in a team.

"This is one person who has served the country very well and if he has asked for time off, it is unfair to accuse him.

"The least we can do for him is to allow him the space until such a time that he feels psychologically and mentally strong to come back." The soft spoken Coach told GNA Sports it was time to close the chapter on whether or not the ace midfielder must be welcome back to the Black Star= s in his own time.

"This is not the time to rush into conclusion. It is important to giv= e him the time he needs so that when he comes back he can give his very best.= "

The Chelsea ace sought time off international duties after picking up a= n injury while training with the Stars in Angola.

Essien who missed the South Africa 2010 World Cup due to the injury has remained evasive over a return date despite being a regular for the Blues. It was widely anticipated that the Wembley meeting on March 29 could tempt Essien back to the Black Stars, but the player last month said he was not ready for a return.

Ghana's Coach Goran Stevanovic has repeatedly aired his desire to meet the midfielder in his quest to woo him back to the team.