Italy-based midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (right) has been ruled out of action because of injury

Italy-based midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang is facing the prospect of a long spell on the sidelines because of a troublesome knee injury.

The Udinese star dropped out of the Black Stars to face Malawi in the decisive Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday because of the recurring knee problem.

There are now fears that Badu eagerness to return to action when the injury has not healed completely is the cause of his problem.

The latest injury was discovered after Udinese beat Liverpool in the Europa League on Thursday which ruled him out of the Sunday’s club action in the Serie A.

His swollen knee was discovered by his team doctors after the match in England, an indication that the knee has not completely healed.

Even though the injury of the knee is proving be serious which needs urgent attention and a long time on the sidelines for it to completely heal, the midfielder says the injury is not serious.

“I got some pain after the game and had a scan on Friday. It is some small problem with the knee,” Agyemang-Badu said.

A similar setback led to him pulling out of last month’s clash with Malawi even though he reported for camp.

He suffered the injury in January at the Africa Cup of Nations, ruling him out of action for many months after surgery.

There is now concern among Black Stars supporters that he is not taking time to heal properly before returning to action.