John Paintsil has stepped up his bid to return to full fitness when he played his first game for Fulham on Wednesday since suffering an ankle injury three months ago.

The Ghana defender featured for the reserves as they faced Queen Park Rangers in a friendly game.

His return to club duties is a boost for Ghana ahead of the World Cup in June.

Paintsil lasted 45 minutes after coming on as a second half substitute.

He has been out for three months after damaging his knee in an English Premier League game against Chelsea that ruled him out of the 2010 Nations Cup.