Ghana coach Chris Hughton has left Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey out of his Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Hughton admits Partey's thigh injury is too "substantial" to risk in the tournament.

Announcing his 27-man squad, Hughton explained: Thomas Partey for sure, and I say this not in a detrimental way to the squad that we have, but he is one of our most important players.

This we know and, withstanding his injury, he certainly would be in the squad. We know the quality of player that he is. This is a player that has a substantial injury.

Read More on Arsenal

I've spent a lot over this period of time with Thomas and also engaging with the medical staff at Arsenal Football Club.

They will treat this injury with caution, and so will the player. This is a big injury for him and the biggest injury that he's had.

The most important thing for me as head coach and our association is to give him the support that he needs through this period of time.

From all the information that we've been given, the timelines of his recovery and the caution that will be taken, will not meet our timelines for the AFCON."

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Oilers crush Panthers in Game 4, stay alive in Stanley Cup Final
Dodgers ace leaves game against Royals due to triceps tightness
Sam Mayer uses overtime restart to win Xfinity Series' return to Iowa
Liberty forward pushes herself into MVP conversation with big game vs. Aces
Tiger Woods makes big admission about his U.S. Open future
Cubs P 'Mike' Imanaga continues hot start vs. Cardinals
Celtics' All-Defensive guard reportedly could replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA
Tee Higgins' contract decision adds pressure on Bengals in 2024
One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
College baseball has become too regional for its own good
Three Padres prospects who should be untouchable in trade talks
Connor McDavid's history-making night helps Oilers stave off elimination
Astros scratch Justin Verlander as nightmare season continues
Watch: Oilers chase goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from Game 4
Watch: Rockies third baseman takes advantage of Pirates laziness' to steal home
Pirates place young catcher on concussion IL
Watch: Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final gets off to chaotic start
Rockies 1B, former NL MVP diagnosed with internal oblique strain
NBA insider shares update on J.J. Redick's candidacy for Lakers HC job
Nationals hurler DJ Herz makes impressive history in third career start