Ghana international Tariq Lamptey says he is looking forward to getting back to full fitness after being left out of the latest Black Stars squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Chris Hughton named a 24-man squad for the penultimate game against Madagascar next month away from home with Ernest Nuamah being the only new face.

The Brighton and Hove Albion defender was absent from Hughton's squad and will miss a second international window having pulled out of the Black Stars' doubleheader against Angola back in March due to injury.

Quizzed on getting to know he is not part of the squad, the 22-year-old said: "I am just currently working hard to get back to full fitness."

"Hopefully I can help the boys [in future] but good luck to them in the next few games."

Tariq is yet to play a game since the first week of March when he featured in Brighton's 4-0 win over West Ham United in the Premier League.

On the international front, he has not played any minutes for the Black Stars since his last appearance at the World Cup against South Korea in the 3-2 win in the group stage.

The defender is currently in Ghana as part of his charity works with his foundation, Tariq Lamptey Foundation.