WC2010 - Kevin-Prince Boateng in Ghana squad

Kevin-Prince Boateng has been included in Ghana's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.

Berlin-born Boateng played for Germany at every level up to and including under-21, but he recently opted to switch his allegiance to Ghana after becoming frustrated with a lack of opportunities under Joachim Low.

And he survived the cull which saw coach Milovan Rajevac reduce his squad from 30 players to the required 23.

Stephen Adams, Eric Addo, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Laryea Kingston, Haminu Draman and Bernard Kumordzi were the men to miss out.

The Portsmouth midfielder recently came in for criticism for a heavy challenge on Germany captain Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final which led to the Chelsea star being ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury.

The match against Germany could also see Boateng come up against his half-brother Jerome, who plays for Hamburg.

Ghana and Germany are joined in Group D by Serbia and Australia.

Squad:

Richard Kingson, Daniel Agyei, Stephen Aholu; John Paintsil, John Mensah, Samuel Inkoom, Hans Adu Sarpei, Rahim Ayew, Lee Addy, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah; Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Stephen Appiah, Andre Ayew, Derek Boateng; Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Matthew Amoah.

WC2010 - Essien ruled out of World Cup

Ghana's World Cup preparations have suffered a huge setback with the news that a knee injury will prevent Chelsea star Michael Essien from playing in the finals in South Africa.

Essien sustained the injury during Ghana's African Nations Cup campaign in January and missed the remainder of the Premier League season as a result.

Ghana manager Milovan Rajevac said only on Wednesday he was "confident" Essien would play some part in the World Cup, but the nation's FA has confirmed the midfielder will not recover in time for the tournament.

Essien has started only 23 Premier League games for Chelsea in the past two seasons as he has been dogged by injury.