Black Stars will face Brazil in Sweden on 27 March

Ghana's Olympic team captain Michael Helegbe has been called into the national team for the first time.

The 21-year-old was named in coach Claude Le Roy's 20-man squad for two friendly matches in Europe later this month.

Also getting his maiden call-up to the Black Stars is home-based defender Alfred Arthur, who plays for local side AshantiGold.

Ghana will play Austria in Graz on 23 March before taking on Brazil four days later in Sweden.

Israel-based striker Derek Boateng gets his first call under the French coach while Peter Ofori-Quaye, Haminu Dramani and Alex Tachie Menson return after missing the 4-1 victory over Nigeria last month.

Ghana's encounter with Brazil on 27 March comes almost nine months after the South American nation edged out the Black Stars in the second round of last year's World Cup.

Both matches are expected to boost the preparations of the Black Stars towards their hosting of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel), Richard Kingson (BB Ankaraspor, Turkey)

Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpie (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany), John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Francis Dickoh (FC Utrecht, Holland), Alfred Arthur (AshantiGold, Ghana), Iliasu Alhassan (Saturn FC, Russia), John Mensah (Rennes, France)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache, Turkey), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Laryea Kingson (Hearts, Scotland), Sulley Muntari (Udinese, Italy), Haminu Draman (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Michael Helegbe (Guingamp, France)