Assistant Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah is optimistic about Ghana's chances against Sudan as he got preparations underway for the weekend's 2012 Nations Cup qualifier on Tuesday in Accra.

Though some players were unavailable for the first day without, Appiah was happy to gather the bulk of his called up squad at the El-Wak Stadium.

Sixteen players took part in the session as the assistant coach also confirmed that Kevin-Prince Boateng would not be rushed for the game after suffering a muscle strain over the weekend while playing for AC Milan.

Appiah insists the side can cope well without injured midfielder.

Richard Kingson, Lee Addy, Hans Adu-Sarpei, Jonathan Mensah, Hans Sarpei, Andre Ayew and Anthony Annan were absent from the first session.

However, they are all expected to be available before the squad leaves Accra for Kumasi on Thursday.

Ghana sits at the too of Group I on three points but with a superior difference than Sudan who beat Congo on the opening day of the qualifiers last month.