Ghana Black Stars and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has left the national team camp in France back to his club in London.
The 29 year old was ruled out of Ghana’s highly anticipated international friendly against Brazil in Le Harve on Friday, just 5 minutes to kick off.
Ghana coach Otto Addo had named the influential star in his starting line-up against a star studded Brazil side that included Neymar, Vinicius Jnr and goalkeeper Allison.
However, just as the Black Stars players were about to wrap up the warm up, Partey was escorted off the pitch by a team physio.
The team doctor confirmed after a few minutes that Partey had felt “something” in his leg during the warm up and had to be withdrawn as a precaution.
His position was taken by Mallorca midfielder Baba Idrissu as GHANA eventually went in to lose the match 3-0 to the South Americans.
Following further assessment by the medical team on Saturday morning in Trouville-Deauville and consultations with Arsenal medical staff in London, the player was given permission to leave the Ghana camp.
The head of Ghana’s medical team Dr Prince Pambo confirmed Partey’s departure to the Black Stars Diary. ” In the best interest of the player, it has been decided that he returns to his club where he was already undergoing a recovery process and to ensure that he’s fully fit and returns for both club and country as soon as possible”
Meanwhile another Arsenal player returning from injury, Takehiro Tomiyasu has withdrawn from the Japan squad.
The Japanese forward will not feature in their friendly against Ecuador on Tuesday due to ‘club circumstances’, which suggests Arsenal requested his leave from the national team.
Reporting: Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah from Trouville Deauville – France
