<<Print>>

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has given the biggest hint of his imminent return to the Black Stars insisting he wants to play for the country at the 2014 World Cup. The Real Madrid superstar revealed that he was bitterly disappointed to have missed the 2010 World Cup in South Africa because of injury. Essien played a key role for the Black Stars qualify for the World Cup in Africa�s first hosting of the global after suffering the setback while playing for his country. He was among the key players who led the country to their first World Cup in Germany in 2006 where they were the best African side in the competition. Essien says he is keen on playing in the global tournament again and is aware he must return to the fold after a self-imposed three-year exile from the side. This means he will return to boost the Black Stars squad as they fight to clinch one of the five places reserved for Africa at the world�s most popular football event. The midfielder says he will be delighted to play in the global tournament again. �It is the dream of every footballer to play to play in the World Cup,� the midfielder, who is expected to return to Chelsea after the end of his loan deal with Real Madrid, told Asempa FM. �The experience of playing at the World Cup is something I will never forget. �I was disappointed I could not play for my country at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa because the the injury I had. That is part of football and I have to accept it and look forward �I am praying we all join hands together and push the country to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and do well at the competition.� Ghana must beat Sudan on Friday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the final phase of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The Black Stars are one point adrift of group leaders Zambia with three matches remaining. Zambia have got the edge over Ghana thanks to the three free points they got from the FIFA boardroom following a protest against Sudan.