Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah makes a passionate appeal to supporters to lay off Asamoah Gyan as the striker makes a return to international football.

The striker last week announced his decision to return to the national team after a five-month absence.

Gyan took temporary break from international football in February after the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations but in a letter to the Ghana Football Association, he communicated his availability for selection for the Black Stars.

However, Appiah who is yet to work with Gyan since assuming full coaching responsibility of the national team is rallying the country to back the striker, reiterating that any disaffection towards him [Gyan] should be left in the past.

“Asamoah is a very great player and it was unfortunate that he went off the team for some time,” Appiah said in an interview.

“As he said, he wanted to rebuild his confidence and it is important that now that he is back, all Ghanaian should put their support behind him.

“No matter what he has done, we need to put everything behind us and give him the full support needed. At the end of the day, he has come to kill himself for Ghana.”

Gyan who is now available for selection says he is committed to Ghana's qualifying campaign for both the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“I am fully committed and focused on our clear goals ahead as a nation on the quest for qualification for both AFCON 2013 and the World Cup in 2014,” the returning striker said.

GBC/GFA