[ 2015-01-24 ]

Jeff Schlupp

'No rift with Ghana over Schlupp'
Leicester manager Nigel Pearson is not expecting
any backlash from the Ghana Football Association
despite claims of fury after Jeff Schlupp returned
from injury at the weekend.

Schlupp did not team up with Ghana's African
Nations Cup squad earlier this month due to a knee
injury reported by the Foxes and confirmed
following an independent assessment.

After being out for a fortnight, as predicted by
Pearson, Schlupp was back in action in Saturday's
1-0 defeat to Stoke, starting the match and
playing for 70 minutes before being withdrawn. A
report this week suggested Ghana coach Avram Grant
and officials were angry over the situation,
adding there was a possibility they would even
report the Foxes to FIFA. Dismissing the story
again, Pearson said: "There isn't a situation with
Ghana.

"I've not heard anything. If there is it's
contrary to information I've heard officially.
"The rules are there, we've acted well within
them, and there you have it. It's their choice."

Asked whether he could understand the frustration
of those within the Ghana camp, Pearson replied
sternly: "No!" He added: "I made it perfectly
clear he would be out for 10 days to two weeks,
which he was. "He had an assessment and scan by
us, and he then went to London for an independent
one, which was arranged by them and concurred with
our findings. "The assessment by our people and
theirs was the same - 'Don't fly!'. A decision was
based on that because he had to the following day.
"I fail to see how anybody can have a problem with
that."

Ahead of City's trip to White Hart Lane on
Saturday for an FA Cup fourth-round tie with
Spurs, Pearson has options. Midfielders Esteban
Cambiasso and Dean Hammond have trained this week
and are in contention after being sidelined for
three and two weeks respectively with calf and hip
injuries.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and striker Andrej
Kramaric appear poised to be handed their first
starts after signing for City this month. Defender
Matt Upson, meanwhile, has returned to training
following a long-standing foot injury sustained in
pre-season and shortly after he signed for the
club in the summer, although Saturday's game comes
too soon for the veteran to make his debut.

Source - Euro Sports

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