Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan has been training with the Black Stars

By Ameenu Shardow, Port Elizabeth

Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan returned to full-time training on Wednesday evening ahead of Thursday’s clash with Mali at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 26-year-old has been limping with some ankle pains since playing a pit-part role in Sunday’s opening Group B match against DR Congo.

The Spain-based player made a second half appearance in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with the Leopards at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

It was feared he could miss the match against Mali as he trained since Monday with the pains in his ankle.

But Annan had a full training session with the Black Stars on Wednesday night with little sign of the ankle pains which means he is fit to face the Malians.

However, it is not clear whether coach Kwesi Appiah would want to gamble on Annan’s fitness when he has several options in the holding midfield position.

With players like Derek Boateng, Rabiu Mohammed and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu all fully fit, coach Appiah may well consider those players for that position.

The Osasuna player has been an injury doubt since picking up an ankle injury last week during a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt in Abu Dhabi.

Annan was taken off during Ghana’s 3-0 African Cup of Nations warm-up win over Egypt in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.

The midfielder fell awkwardly when he went for a challenge in the first half of the match at the Zayed Sports Complex.