Ghana's coach Ratomir Dujkovic is facing difficulties with two of his call-ups for the African Cup of Nations squad. Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien received an injury during Chelsea's Premiership match against West Ham, while Udinese's Sulley Muntari suffered from injury during training.

Essien, was recently in the news when Chelsea's coach Jose Mourinho requested from Dujkovic permission to fly the player to England for Chelsea's Premiership matches and then fly him back for the 'Black Stars' African Cup of Nations matches.

The injury could leave him out of the African Cup of Nations Squad and deals a blow to Ratomir Dujkovic's preparation plans for the World Cup Finals. The 23-years-old suffered with ankle ligament, after a hard tackle by West Ham's Nigel Reo-Coker.

Chelsea officials could not confirm how long Essien will have to stay out of action, but he could be out for 8-weeks or more. The African Cup of Nations kicks-off in Egypt in the 20th of January.

Udinese's Sulley Muntari has suffered from a serious ankle injury and will wear a protective bandage for at least 20 days. The Club's medical team will then re-evaluate his injury, in order to determine its full extent.

Both injuries have hit the 'Black Stars' midfield and Dujkovic will need to make drastic last-minute changes to his squad. Manchester United FC has shown interest to transfer the player in January's transfer window, plans which will possibly be postponed.

Sulley Muntari is 21-years-old and had some very good performances in Italy's Serie A league games. The popular "Football Italia" magazine wrote that Muntari had "the touch of Kaka and the combativeness of Edgar Davids," after a match against AC Milan.

He is regarded and one of the Black Stars' strongest units with his defensive skills, and was one of the major contributors for Ghana's qualification for the World Cup Finals in Germany.

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