Essien makes it into final 22

I'm told that Ghana would leave the northern city of Tamale this afternoon for the weekend’s 2010 World Cup qualifying against Mali on June 7.

But the sqaud leaves with one more key addition: Michael Essien.

The Chelsea man joins the Stars team after completing his cross examination at an Accra High Court in a case in which his ex-girlfriend is seeking to clarify the status of their relationship in a divorce compensation claim.

Essien’s availability is expected to hand Milovan Rajevac a further boost in a preparation which has suffered some setbacks following key withdrawals.The Serbian coach already is without Laryea Kingston, Derek Boateng, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan.

Essien's return would certainly excite Rajevac who rates his midfielder as one of the best in the World. And on that note here is the final squad list selected to play on Sunday.

Goalkeepers: Richard Kingston (Wigan Athletic, England), George Owu (Al Masry, Egypt)

Defenders : John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Samuel Inkoom (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), John Mensah (Lyon, France), Jonathan Quartey (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland)

Midfielders: Isaac Vorsah (Hoffeinham, Germany), Moussa Narry (Auxerre, France), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios FC, Greece) Samuel Kyere (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt) Haminu Draman (FC Locomotiv Moskva, Russia)

Strikers: Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Samuel Yeboah (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Prince Tagoe (Al-Ittifaq, Saudi Arabia) Joe Tex Frimpong (BSC Young Boys, Switzerland), Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Papa Arko (El Geish, Egypt)

_____