Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah admits disappointment after injury ruled out defender Jerry Akaminko from the World Cup.

Akaminko was carried off on a stretcher late on in Saturday's friendly against the Netherlands after after appearing to land awkwardly on his ankle.

And with the start of the World Cup just over a fortnight away, the absence of the Eskisehirspor player in Brazil has left Appiah downhearted as he now has to plan without one of his central defenders for the competition.

“It is unfortunate that Jerry has got to face this,” Appiah told www.ghanafa.org

“Looking at the training he has done with the team we had lots of hope for the World Cup.”

“All we have to do, apart from the support we will offer him is to pray for him to come back stronger.”

Akaminko will travel with the squad to the United States to undergo surgery.

President of the Ghana Football Association Kwesi Nyantakyi has also expressed his sympathy to the defender.

“This is a bitter blow for Jerry and the entire Ghana team. When he went down yesterday I felt something in my stomach. We all feel very sorry for him,” Nyantakyi said.

“Injuries are always ugly more so at this time.

“Now what remains is for us to support him. I’ve talked to him and he is very optimistic.”