Hearts of Oak coach Didi Dramani provides update on Black Stars goalkeeper Benjamin Asare

Hearts of Oak coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has delivered promising news on the recovery of first-choice goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, indicating the shot-stopper is nearing a return to competitive action.

Asare has been sidelined since suffering an injury in an international friendly against South Korea in November, missing the last seven Ghana Premier League matches.

However, the Black Stars goalkeeper has made significant progress in his rehabilitation. Dramani confirmed that Asare has resumed full training with the squad since mid-December and is steadily building his fitness.

"Benjamin (Asare) trained throughout last week. So he is about seventy per cent ready," Dramani stated in Saturday's post-match conference. "He played 30 minutes of our friendly game last week."

The coach emphasised a cautious approach to reintegration, noting, "We are trying to integrate him gradually so that he comes back. He went out with a force majeure, so that influences how we reintegrate him into the squad."

Asare is now in contention to be included in the squad for Hearts of Oak's crucial away fixture against second-placed Medeama S.C. on Friday, with a final decision pending based on his final training sessions.

Hearts of Oak currently sit fifth in the league with 28 points, just two points behind Medeama. The imminent return of their key goalkeeper provides a significant boost as the Phobians aim to climb the table in the second half of the season.