Ghana's World Cup plans has been handed a major boost following the return to action of John Paintsil for the first time since breaking his ankle in December.

The Fulham right-back started for the Cottagers for Sunday's Premier League game against Everton.

Paintsil, 28, played the entire duration of the game and his return to action will hand Milovan Rajevac more options ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa.

The Ghana international suffered a knee injury whiles playing Fulham in a London derby against Chelsea back in December.

The injury prevented him from playing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in January.