Black Stars of Ghana head coach Chris Hughton has confirmed Thomas Partey did not suffer any injury setback having replaced the Arsenal star midway through Sunday’s friendly game with Mexico.
Partey picked up a groin injury in Arsenal’s third game of the season against Fulham.
The 30-year-old went on to miss Arsenal’s next six games as a result of the injury.
He returned to action as an unused substitute in the Champions League defeat to Lens and came off the bench for his first appearance since August in the final 15 minutes of the 1-0 win over Manchester City prior to the international break.
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Partey was included in the Ghana squad for friendly games against Mexico and USA, starting as his side fell to a 2-0 defeat to El Tri in the early hours of Sunday morning.
He was replaced at half-time but Hughton has quickly allayed fears of any fresh injury fears, insisting the decision to only give him 45 minutes was made before kick-off.
“Thomas was always only going to play 45 minutes,’ Hughton was quoted by Metro Sport during his ress conference
“He has been out injured for three to four weeks, he came back for Arsenal last midweek, was on the subs bench for one game played 20 minutes for the next game. So we knew he was only going to play 45 minutes.”
Given his recent injury problems, Arsenal opted to send out physiotherapist Simon Murphy to Ghana with the midfielder to monitor his progress.
Partey could be in the Gunners starting 11 when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday 21 October.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba both remained in north London over the international break after withdrawing from the England and France squads respectively due to injuries.
