AFCON 2023: ‘He would certainly be here without the injury’ – Chris Hughton on Partey

AFCON 2023: ‘He would certainly be here without the injury’ (Chris Hughton on Partey)

Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton says he was forced to leave Thomas Partey out of his squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to his injury.

The Arsenal midfielder is still on his way to recovery after being out of action since the October international break.

Partey featured for Ghana in the friendlies against Mexico and the United States of Ghana in that time and hasn’t played for the club or country since then.

Despite the midfielder looking close to a return to action, Hughton has decided against risking him for the tournament and has allowed him to recover at Arsenal.

“Thomas Partey is one of our most important players. Without his injury, he certainly would be in the squad; we know what a quality player he is. This is a player that suffered a substantial injury,” the Irish trainer said while addressing questions about his 27-man squad.