Paintsil thrilled to be back in Ghana squad

John Paintsil is happy to have rediscovered his form of old and believes that has played a big part in his return to the Ghana setup.

The Hapoel Tel Aviv defender John Paintsil is preparing with the team for the weekend's final round qualifier against Malawi for next year's Africa Cup of Nations.

Paintsil, 31, is making a return to the national team after his last outing for the Black Stars came in March this year in an international friendly against Chile.

And he credits his club form for helping him win another national team call-up.

"When I went to Leicester, things didn't go well. In three years, I played one season, playing six games and that wasn't enough and as a national team player, you need to be getting more playing time to be ready for the nation.

"Playing, playing, playing and play time is what I want. And now I am happy that I have found my way and found my self with Hapoel Tel Aviv [and] playing every week, playing in Europa Cup, two or three times in a week, which is good, which is going to polish my game. Now I can see that my style of game is changing, is coming up. I am seeing myself like everyday John [Paintsil] is changing his style of play, the confidence, the fitness, everything is getting well so I am so happy," the Ghana full-back explained.

After his time off the Black Stars, Paintsil, who is closing in on a century of caps for Ghana, says he was made proud with the reception accorded him on his return.

"I am very happy to get back to the [Black] Stars team," Paintsil said.

"There guys were so happy to see me and I feel so proud that I have people who were looking forward to seeing me back to the national team so I feel very happy."

Paintsil is working under Kwesi Appiah for the first time since the former Ghana international was made the substantive coach of the Black Stars and he is quick to point to the positive change that the new coach has brought on board.

"I can see that the motivation and confidence is very, very high. The new coach has brought new things to the group, new technique, the training and everything has changed. And I am very happy to see that," the Israeli-based player explained.

"I believe that with this coaching aspects that Kwesi Appiah is bringing up, it will help the boys. When you come to training you will not notice who is a local boy and who is a professional [foreign-based].

"This is what I wanted to see," Paintsil added.

"The love is there, they unity and the respect and discipline, I am very happy to see that."