Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac says John Paintsil’s contribution to the team would be missed as Ghana prepare for the 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Sudan on June 20.

The defender is suspended for the third group D qualifying match after picking up two bookings so far in the final round of qualifying.

“John (Paintsil) is such an important player. He has been in such a good form for Fulham and Ghana this season. And a player like that is always going to be key.

“He always gives in his best and not having him is a blow. But that is the game of football, you always have to be prepared for such things. Suspensions and injuries are part of the game.

“But we have a good squad and we can always find someone to fill in,” Rajevac told www.ghanafa.org before departure to Naivasha, Kenya on Saturday for a training spell ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Sudan.

Paintsil has played every single game in the qualifying campaign for Ghana, eight games in all since the series started in June 2008.

Ghana lead the 2010 World Cup qualifying group D with six points, three ahead of second placed Benin.