...after injury lay-off

Ghana midfielder Rabiu Mohammed returned to action on Sunday after a four-month injury lay-off, boosting his chances of making the Black Stars squad to the 2014 World Cup.

The 24-year-old was a second-half substitute for Russian side Kuban Krasnodar who defeated Mubarak Wakaso’s Rubin Kazan 2-0 away from home in their league clash.

Mohammed came on as a substitute in the 80th minute, taking over from Romanian striker Gheorghe Bucur after completing a personalized training program last week.

Rabiu played his first game for Kuban since he last featured for the side in the 3-1 defeat to Amkar Perm’ in November.

The former Evian TG man has struggled with niggle injuries since moving to Russia at the start of the season.

His extensive injury woes has kept him on the sidelines for close to four months and threatened his place in the Ghana squad for the 2014 World Cup.

The tough-tackling midfielder has now boosted his chances of making Kwesi Appiah’s squad with the precious playing time.

His countryman, Mubarak Wakaso, who is also in search of regular club time was not in the Rubin Kazan team.