Ghana and Marseille midfielder Andre Ayew says he is fit to support his national team in the 2013 African Cup of Nations, having recovered from a troublesome shoulder injury.

“I am much better. I am getting better bit by bit and hopefully I should be available for the game against Malawi,” Ayew told Ghanaian website Ghanasoccernet.

“It has not been easy to recover from those injuries, but like I said I am getting back to my best,” he added.

Ayew took part in Wednesday’s training between ranks at the Accra Sports Stadium as the Black Stars prepare to host Malawi in the final qualifiers of the CAN 2013 on Saturday.

“If we want to win this game, we have to remain focused and do the business,” he said.

The 22-year-old midfielder called for experienced players to support the team in their crucial showdown as Ghana are without an experienced captain and his deputy, John Mensah and Michael Essien respectively, for the first leg game of the ultimate qualifier for the finals.

The Black Stars are also without Sulley Muntari and John Paintsil.

“We know they are big players, we know that they have brought a lot to the national team and they are players who have a lot of experience in the squad. They are players we miss a lot,” Ayew told Ghanasoccernet.

“Personally I hope that captain (Mensah) gets a club very soon. You know there have been rumours around; hopefully he’ll sign very quickly, I wish him the best of luck.

“Michael (Essien) too the same; he’s gone to Madrid and hopefully he’ll get the opportunity to play more in the biggest club in the world to me.

“So I hope that all of them get back to playing, and hopefully back to the national team, because we need everybody,” Ayew concluded.

Ghana need a resounding victory against Malawi to ease their way to the second leg in Lilongwe next October.

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