Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan admits he is getting increasingly frustrated by his inability to play a lot of games this season due to injury.
The 29-year-old who has enjoyed massive success since joining Al Ain in 2011 has struggled for consistency this term – making just 10 starts in the Boss’ 20 league matches so far.
Gyan was only good for 16 minutes in last Friday’s Super Cup defeat to rivals Al Ahli as he feels his way back from an ‘infection’.
The Black Stars captain is set to lose his goal king crown – an award he has won three times on the bounce - to Al Jazira’s Mirki Vucnic.
In contrast, Gyan started all of Al Ain’s league matches last season and also played in every single minute of their impressive campaign in the Asian Champions League.
The prolific striker admits he is frustrated by his stop-start season this term.
“Yes, it has been a frustrating season but everyone knows what I can do when I am a 100 per cent fit – that is most important for me,” Gyan said.
“I believe in my quality. When I am fit, I know what I can do. I’ve been suffering a lot. I am struggling to play, I have missed three games recently.
“This is not good for me. I felt a bit better on Thursday in training and they decided to let me take to the field [in the Super Cup].
“Unfortunately we lost, but my health is more important. I have to continue working hard and we will see about the next game if I can be fully fit.
“I am a bit frustrated right now. Last season, I played all the games for 90 minutes. I played the AFC Champions League for 90 minutes, then I went to the World Cup and played every game.
“It has been a stressful season for me. I am a professional player and I need to take good care of my body.”