Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac is confident Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will return to international football early next year.
Essien has just returned from a long lay-off after a cruciate ligament injury sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
The midfielder has now asked for time off international football to get back to his best form at club level.
That decision has been heavily criticised in Ghana.
However, Rajevac has a more sympathetic attitude to the player.
"As you know, Michael has had two very serious injuries in the last two years, both with the national team," the 56-year-old told BBC Sport.
"Now he wants to concentrate on his club and I am sure after sometime he will come back to the national team.
"When we need him most, he will be there to lead the team the way he knows."
Rajevac revealed Essien spoke to him before making the announcement public and said there is always room in the national team for the 27-year-old.
"Michael contacted me after I decided on the list for the game against Swaziland and wanted to ask for permission to be excused for a while," he said.
"I understood his thoughts and of course I want to help him to get into his old form, to start playing regularly and I gave that permission.
The Black Stars have gathered in Johannesburg for the start of their 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers on Sunday.
They are without Essien and Stephen Appiah, their captain of seven years who recently retired from international football.
Rajevac paid glowing tribute to the 29-year-old Appiah for his contribution to the Ghana side.
"As I said so many times before, Stephen is a great player who gave so much to Ghana football," he said.
"We need to respect his decision because he's had so many problems recently.
"Maybe at some point he will reconsider his decision, but for now we must respect that because of everything he gave."
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