Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has tasked every member of the Black Stars squad to stand up and be counted as they prepare for the World Cup without Michael Essien.

Appiah, who has admitted the magnitude of the loss is however optimistic that the void left by Essien can be filled.

After forming a solid midfielder partnership revolving around hiumself, Essien and Sulley Muntari, the captain insists the team ‘must move on because football is a team game'.

"We are all disappointed by this sad news because Michael has been an integral part of our team over the last few years. He is crucial to what we do so we were all hoping he will make it but it was not to be," Appiah said.

"I saw him when he came out of the meeting and looking in his eyes you could tell how disappointed he was. We spoke briefly and the emotions were there for all present to see.

"He will be missed without a doubt but we have to move on because football is a team game and someone else will step in and deliver - hopefully as equally good as we would have had from Michael."

Appiah himself missed the 2008 Nations Cup through an injury that took well over a year to heal and says what Essien needs most at the moment is encouragement.

"I have told him to just carry on with his rehabilitation because I know how it feels when you are injured. Sometimes it feels the whole world is against you so any encouraging words will do him good."

"I have told him every goal and every win will be dedicated to him and as he has already said, he will be supporting us at all times during the World Cup," Appiah concluded.