Thomas Partey Left Out of Ghana’s squad

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been left out of Ghana’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) because of injury.

Partey, 30, has been out since October with a hamstring problem.

“This is the biggest injury that he has had,” said Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton.

“The most important thing for me as head coach and our association is to give him the support that he needs through this period of time.

“Withstanding his injury, he certainly would be in the squad.”

Brighton right-back Tariq Lampey also misses out because of injury, but West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey are all in the 27-man squad.

Captain Andre Ayew, now at French club Le Havre, is set to feature at a record-equalling eighth AFCON finals.

However, PAOK left-back Baba Rahman ruled himself out of selection to concentrate on his club form while winger Abdul Fatawu, who is on loan at Leicester from Sporting CP, is also absent.

Ghana’s Black Stars are  drawn in Group B alongside Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique.

Former Newcastle and Brighton boss Hughton took charge of Ghana, who won the most recent of their four AFCON titles in 1982..