John Pantsil Eyes Long-Term Stay With Ghana National Team

Ghana defender John Pantsil turns 30 on Wednesday but says he has the blood of an U-20 running through him and could occupy the wingback position for the Black Stars for a very long time. Facing a rather stiff opposition from younger colleagues � Samuel Inkoom and Daniel Opare� in the Black Stars, Paintsil told the Graphic Sports he was unmoved �because I have fresh blood running through me.� Painstil is reeling under intense psychological pressure to secure a club quickly after he was offloaded by his England premiership side, Fulhalm, at the end of the season. Largely considered by his club as surplus, the Ghanaian had little playing time last season necessitating his immediate release. He told the Graphic Sports last Sunday he was seriously in search of a club either in the premiership or the Championship (Division One) just to be active and to maintain his position in the Black Stars. Refusing to disclose names of clubs he had been speaking with, the player said he was not bothered playing in the championship �once I get a regular playing time.� The Fulham deal remains the player�s biggest with a combined transfer fee of 6.3 million pounds from West Ham in 2008. Paintsil, joined West Ham after a successful World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, but after initial impressive showing failed to live up to the billing. From a humble beginning at Berekum Arsenal, Liberty Porfessionals through to his sojourning in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Hopoel Tel Aviv Paintsil appears to have hit his top form until his sudden decline at Fulham. On the fringes, Laryea Kingston said his motivation to get a foreign club urgently is to make a return to the Black Stars. With the Black Stars considered as one of the most attractive national teams on the continent, Laryea said he was moving heaven and earth to make a return to Europe to re-join the national team. He told the Graphic Sports his agent had made an advanced move and he was sure to begin playing high-profile soccer once again. Laryea, 30, younger brother of goalkeeper Richard �Olele� Kingson, failed to make the mark with Netherland premier club, Vitesse, last December after years with Scotland side Hearts. Sounding rather optimistic, Learyea said �surely by the end of next month I should secure a club in Europe.