Chelsea`s new signing, Michael Ballack, is a major doubt for the opening fixture of the 2006 World Cup.
Ballack, signed form Bayern Munich, has been struggling with a calf strain over the last few weeks and had previously missed out on the last friendly the host nation had played prior to opening the tournament with a clash with Costa Rica.
However, the German captain had intimated in several media sources that he felt the injury would clear up ahead of the opening fixture of what promises to be a marvellous festival of football.
Sadly, the German captain, who started the training session with the German squad on Wednesday, was unable to complete it pulling out before it finished. With German coach, Jurgen Klinsmann stating that players who could not train forty-eight hours before a fixture would not be selected it looks bleak for Ballack.
However, Klinsmann may relent and play his influential skipper if the injury relents over the next twenty-four hours but if there is a risk of causing further damage to the calf, then Ballack will be rested ahead of further crucial fixtures.
Share this article
