Paintsil to start first game for Hapoel on injury return

Other Sports of Monday, 1 April 2013 Source: Ghanasoccernet Ghana defender John Paintsil will play his first game for Hapoel Tel Aviv on Tuesday after returning from injury, MTNFootball.com has reported.The right-back has worked his way back into first team contention after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury.It will be the first start of the former Fulham man in the Israeli top flight since returning from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.Paintsil was given an extended leave in his native Ghana as part of his recovery routine from the hamstring injury he sustained during the Nations Cup in South Africa.He however returned to Hapoel a fortnight ago to step up his recovery with intense gym, pool and field work.The experienced defender is now deemed fully fit to start in Tuesday’s home fixture against Bnei Yehuda.Paintsil’s return serves a boost for Hapoel as they look to clinch second spot with two games to go in the Israeli top flight.