Ghana await late call on Lawrence Ati-Zigi before crucial England showdown

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to make a final decision after Monday’s training session in Boston, where Ati-Zigi will undergo a late assessment on a groin injury sustained during Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Panama.

The 29-year-old had delivered an impressive first-half performance in Toronto and looked set for another influential display before injury cut his evening short.

Ati-Zigi produced an early point-blank save to deny Cecilio Waterman after Amir Murillo's low delivery before suffering discomfort following a heavy collision while charging off his line.

Although he received treatment and attempted to continue, the medical team decided not to risk him further and substituted him at half-time, with Benjamin Asare stepping in.

Since then, Ghana's technical staff have carefully managed Ati-Zigi's recovery at the team's training base in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He missed the initial recovery session before returning to grass work on Saturday, completing a light individual programme under goalkeepers coach Daniel Gaspar.

Gaspar remained positive but stopped short of confirming whether the experienced shot-stopper would be ready.

"We're extremely happy with his progress. It's day-by-day, and we will take it session by session. We're optimistic with his progress. The decision will be made at the right time," he told the media as quoted by Flashscore.

Should Ati-Zigi fail to recover in time, Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare appears ready to seize his opportunity after producing a composed cameo against Panama, including three important saves to preserve Ghana's lead before Caleb Yirenkyi's dramatic stoppage-time winner.

The Black Stars now wait on one final call before facing England.