Black Stars head coach, CK Akonnor is skeptical about Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey’s availability for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa

The Black stars deputy skipper remains doubtful to feature for Ghana following an injury sustained in the Gunners pre-season game against Chelsea forcing his substitution from the game before half-time.

Last week, the 28 year old was a surprise inclusion in the Black stars provisional 30-man squad announced for the early September games .

“With Partey, yes, we’ve been talking. It doesn’t look too good,” Akonnor told media during an online press conference on Friday.

“Still, there’s always Plan B. We have people who will take that position and do well, so we’ll wish him speedy recovery, get well soon. But it doesn’t look too good.”

Partey’s injury predicament sidelined him from Arsenal’s season opener against Bretford last week, and he is expected to sit out Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea.

According to the North London club, the Ghanaian is expected back in training by the end of the August, which means his chances of making the trip to Ghana for the clash with Ethiopia on September 3 and an away showdown with South Africa three days later slim at best.

The Senior National team are looking for a strong start to the World Cup qualifiers in September to boost their quest of making a return to the global showpiece after missing out on Russia 2018.