Bad news we are afraid if you were hoping Ghana were going to make it through Group D. They really were going to need to be at their best to beat Germany, Australia and Serbia and the news today is that influential Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing to recover from a knee injury.

The player hasn't played many games for Chelsea the last couple of seasons but Ghana officials had hoped he would be able to make the World Cup.

However, Chelsea medical staff have confirmed today via a statement on the national team's official website that the player would not be fully recovered until the end of July.

In an emotional meeting, Essien visited the squad at their training camp in Paris today to pass on the news and wish the team luck.

Randy Abbey told www.ghanafa.org: "At the meeting, Michael Essien reiterated his commitment to the Black Stars and explained how he wished to have been part of the team preparing for the World Cup.

"It was an emotional moment for him as he made his way upstairs to see his colleagues. He visited every member of the squad in their rooms and wished them well. Essien was close to tears.

"After meeting up with his teammates, he made his way out of the camp as he would be heading back to London to continue with his rehabilitation."