Ghana Boss Provides Thomas Partey Fitness Update After Friendly Game

Chris Hughton provided an update on fitness of Thomas Partey…

Ghana boss Chris Hughton revealed that Thomas Partey’s half-time substitution in the Black Stars’ friendly against Mexico was predetermined with the midfielder still building fitness.

Partey returned from a muscular injury earlier this month after six weeks on the sidelines, though he was an unused substitute in our defeat to Lens.

The 30-year-old played 20 minutes days later as we defeated Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and the midfielder has been following a detailed plan as he gradually gets back to full fitness.

The presence of Arsenal physio Simon Murphy at Ghana’s training camp in America once against caught fans’ attention online and heightened anxiety.

Arsenal physio Simon Murphy has travelled with Thomas Partey on international duty again. 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/F4pHLJiHE3

— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) October 12, 2023

Hughton allayed fears that Partey may have suffered a setback and stated that the former Atletico is just following the fitness plan set for him by the club.

“Thomas was always going to play 45 minutes, he has been out injured for three to four weeks,”the former Newcastle United manager explained in the post-match press conference.

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“He came back for his club Arsenal last midweek, where he was subbed in for one game and played only 20 minutes. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes.”

With another friendly scheduled for Wednesday morning, it will be interesting to see how many minutes Partey plays – if he even features at all.

Playing twice in a matter of days on those dodgy pitches in America is hardly ideal for a player with an already questionable fitness record.

Hopefully, Partey can come back in one piece and ready for Saturday’s London derby against Chelsea.