ACCRA - Ghana coach Claude Leroy wants Stephen Appiah to inspire his squad
LeRoy has named his injured captain Appiah in a 28-man line up for the Africa Cup of Nations
Appiah has been told he has no chance of playing because of long-standing injury problems, but Leroy wants him to act as an inspiration to the squad.
Also in the line-up is the youngster Quincy Owusu Abeyie, who has yet to be cleared to play for the Black Stars.
He has played for the Dutch Under-21 side, and football's world governing body Fifa meets to decide his case just five days before the big kickoff in Accra.
If he makes the final cut, and Fifa decides against him, Ghana could be forced to pay a fine if they want to replace him.
Abeyie wants to play for Ghana
The squad needs to be trimmed to 23 in time for the deadline of January 10.
LeRoy says he wants his injured captain to play a big part in the Black Stars push for glory on home soil.
"I want [Appiah] to join us for our training camp and if possible to be with us during the tournament as well," the coach told the Ghana FA's website.
"We will use him as a special adviser because he can bring a lot to the team even without playing."
Ghana are heading out to Dubai to prepare for the tournament, which they are hosting.
Injured players Laryea Kingston and Baffour Gyan have been given more time to declare themselves fit.
Ghana preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers:
Richard Kingson (Birmingham City), Sammy Adjei (Ashdod), Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold)
Defenders:
John Paintsil (West Ham United), Dan Opare (Ashantigold), Nana Kwasi Asare (FC Mechelen);
John Mensah (Rennes), Alhassan Illiasu (FC Saturn), Francis Dickoh (FC Utretcht), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko)
Midfielders:
Anthony Annan (I.K. Start), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven), Michael Essien (Chelsea), Bernard Kumodzi (Panionios);
Laryea Kingston (Hearts), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow), Moussa Narry (Etoile du Sahel), Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille), Ahmed Barruso (AS Roma)
Strikers:
Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda), Asamoah Gyan (Udinese), Baffour Gyan (FC Saturn);
Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest), Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Celta Vigo);
Kwadwo Asamoah (Liberty Professionals). - BBC
Appiah to egg on Black Stars
ACCRA - Ghana coach Claude Leroy wants Stephen Appiah to inspire his squad
LeRoy has named his injured captain Appiah in a 28-man line up for the Africa Cup of Nations
Appiah has been told he has no chance of playing because of long-standing injury problems, but Leroy wants him to act as an inspiration to the squad.
Also in the line-up is the youngster Quincy Owusu Abeyie, who has yet to be cleared to play for the Black Stars.
He has played for the Dutch Under-21 side, and football's world governing body Fifa meets to decide his case just five days before the big kickoff in Accra.
If he makes the final cut, and Fifa decides against him, Ghana could be forced to pay a fine if they want to replace him.
Abeyie wants to play for Ghana
The squad needs to be trimmed to 23 in time for the deadline of January 10.
LeRoy says he wants his injured captain to play a big part in the Black Stars push for glory on home soil.
"I want [Appiah] to join us for our training camp and if possible to be with us during the tournament as well," the coach told the Ghana FA's website.
"We will use him as a special adviser because he can bring a lot to the team even without playing."
Ghana are heading out to Dubai to prepare for the tournament, which they are hosting.
Injured players Laryea Kingston and Baffour Gyan have been given more time to declare themselves fit.
Ghana preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers:
Richard Kingson (Birmingham City), Sammy Adjei (Ashdod), Fatau Dauda (Ashantigold)
Defenders:
John Paintsil (West Ham United), Dan Opare (Ashantigold), Nana Kwasi Asare (FC Mechelen);
John Mensah (Rennes), Alhassan Illiasu (FC Saturn), Francis Dickoh (FC Utretcht), Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), Harrison Afful (Asante Kotoko)
Midfielders:
Anthony Annan (I.K. Start), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven), Michael Essien (Chelsea), Bernard Kumodzi (Panionios);
Laryea Kingston (Hearts), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow), Moussa Narry (Etoile du Sahel), Stephen Appiah (Fenerbahce), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille), Ahmed Barruso (AS Roma)
Strikers:
Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda), Asamoah Gyan (Udinese), Baffour Gyan (FC Saturn);
Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest), Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Celta Vigo);
Kwadwo Asamoah (Liberty Professionals). - BBC