Michael Essien is hoping to be ready for the start of World Cup finals as he continues with his rehabilitation programme.

The Ghana midfielder says he could even be in line to play for the Black Stars in their last friendly against Latvia in Milton Keynes on 5 June.

Essien has been recovering from a knee injury picked up at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in January which has kept him on the sidelines so far, having missed a greater part of the season for club, Chelsea.

He has being included in Ghana's 30-man provisional squad.

Responding to a question about the possibility of him making it to World Cup, Essien said: “That is the plan at least.

“I have to keep working hard to be fit and I can assure you I am doing that.

“Once I am fit I hope to feature in at least one trial match before the World Cup starts.

“I haven’t played since January as you well know so I will need games before the real thing starts.”

Still on the road to full recovery, Essien hopes to be avaliable for selection once passed fit even if he misses Ghana's build up to the start of the competition.

“Even if I don’t get any trial games, as long I am declared fit by the medical team then I will be in South Africa for sure,” he said.