Ghana and Charlton goalkeeper Joe Wollacott to undergo surgery
Ghana and Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Joe Wollacott will undergo surgery after he missed out on the Black Stars squad for the World Cup due to injury.
The 26-year-old suffered the injury during the warm up of their 3-3 League One draw against Burton Albion.
The goalkeeper was included in the 55-man provisional squad for the global showpiece. Wollacott has made 11 appearances for Ghana.
“Everyone at the club is bitterly disappointed for Jojo. He played such an important part in Ghana getting to the World Cup and we all know how much he was looking forward to it.”
“For the injury to happen so close to the tournament and in such innocuous fashion is very cruel”, Charlton Athletic manager Ben Garner said.
“My understanding is that following surgery he will still meet up with the Ghana squad and remain a key member of their travelling party. Knowing Jojo as I do he will respond to this setback with great maturity and a determination to come back even stronger.
“I think the world of him both as a person and as a player. It goes without saying that Jojo will receive our full love, care and support throughout this coming period.”
Black Stars have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
Ghana will take on Portugal in their first game on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.
Black Stars will play Switzerland in an International friendly on November 17, before travelling to Qatar for the World Cup.
Ghana secured a 4th FIFA World Cup tournament having participated in 2006, 2010, and 2014 in Germany, South Africa, and Brazil after drawing 1-1 against Nigeria in the return leg of the final play-offs at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to seal qualification on the away goals rule.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place between November 20 and December 18, 2022.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.