Michael Essien: Avram Grant appointment as Ghana coach is no guarantee for my Black Stars return

AC Milan ace Michael Essien says his return to the Black Stars is not automatic even though his former coach at Chelsea Avram Grant has been appointed Ghana coach.

Essien was suspended for refusing to warm-up in the build-up to Ghana’s final Group G match against Portugal at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals Brazil.

But the 32-year-old has denied any wrongdoing after it was speculated that he decided to boycott the pre-match requisite in support of his close pals Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng who were thrown out from camp for indiscipline.

Essien, who is closely linked with Grant, is hesitant on re-joining the Black Stars ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

He told the Guardian in an interview: “I don’t know about comebacks or anything of that sort. As I have said in the recent past we will see.

"There is no guarantee that he will even call me up anyway so it’s a bit of a hypothetical question and if he does we will see.”

Essien last played in the Nations Cup at the 2010 finals in Angola but his tournament ended early after sustaining a career-threatening knee injury which later sidelined him for six month.

He has 59 international caps and nine goals.