Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has fiercely rejected speculation that captain Stephen Appiah will play a pit-part role when the World Cup qualifiers start later this month.

The 28-year-old was named in a 22-man squad to face Benin later this month in Kumasi even though he is currently unattached.

Despite not playing club football for over one year, the former Juventus player has proven to be the key man for the Black Stars.

Appiah scored and set up the other in last month's friendly against Egypt as the African champions struggled to hold the Black Stars to a 2-2 draw at the feared Cairo International Stadium.

A newspaper had rumoured that the Serbian coach was contemplating using the inspirational player from the bench in Black Stars future matches.

But Rajevac brushed aside those concerns insisting that Appiah remains a key player for the national team because of his performance on the field and also his influence of the team.

"If there is anybody who doubts the ability of Appiah, the person should look at the game against Egypt and revise his/her notes," Rajevac told Ghanasoccernet.com.

"We saw how he took the game to the Egyptians and changed things for us in the game against the champions of Africa.

"We all know how his inspirational qualities have taken brought the best out of his national team colleagues and for me these qualities are key.

"I will not discuss my team tactics in the press. The field will decide.

"We are on a mission of sending Ghana to its second World Cup and we need the support of all to achieve this goal.

"Let's unite towards the singular goal of getting Ghana to Africa's first World Cup in 2010 with the best of our armoury."

Ghana will open the second phase of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign later this month.

They will also play Sudan and Mali in their Group Four matches.