Ghana coach Addo seeks to ease Arsenal concerns over Partey fitness | OneFootball

Ghana coach Otto Addo has sought to ease Arsenal concerns over Thomas Partey's fitness.

Partey was set to start for the Black Stars in their high-profile friendly against Brazil in Le Havre on Friday, only to become a late withdrawal from the starting XI due to a precaution over what was initially reported as discomfort around the knee.

Concerns that the 29-year-old may be set for another spell on the sidelines were heightened when, having missed the Brazil match, he withdrew altogether from the Ghana squad ahead of their second fixture against Nicaragua in Lorca on Tuesday.

Addressing the issue on Monday, Ghana coach Addo explained that they did not want to risk Partey in a friendly and expressed hope he would return very quickly.

“Hopefully Thomas will be healthy very, very soon," he told reporters. “We didn't want to take that risk in a friendly game to play him against Brazil, but surely playing a player like him against a squad like Brazil would have been helpful."