Ballack to miss Champions League return leg after ankle op

Apr 29, 2007, 11:07 GMT

Munich - Michael Ballack will miss Chelsea's Champions League match against Liverpool but hopes to be back for the last matches in the Premiership title race, Germany coach Joachim Loew said Sunday.

Loew told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa after a telephone call with Ballack that the Germany captain should be available for Euro 2008 qualifiers in early June.

Ballack had an operation in Munich on his left ankle Friday after suffering an injury against Newcastle United last weekend.

He missed Chelsea's semi-final first leg against Liverpool last Wednesday and will also be absent for the return leg on Tuesday.

'There is not yet an exact prognosis on how long Michael Ballack will be out. But he plans to play again this season,' said Loew after talking to the player and national team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt.

Ballack is expected to be fit for Germany's Euro 2008 qualifiers on June 2 in Nuremberg against San Marino and four days later in Hamburg against Slovakia.

'Michael is staying for a few days in Munich. He will definitely miss the next one or two games. I expect him to be fit for our games,' Loew added.

The 30-year-old midfielder has had a piece of bone removed from his ankle but hopes to return for Chelsea against Manchester United on May 9 in an encounter which could decide the English league title.

Chelsea, now five points behind Manchester United after a 2-2 draw against Bolton on Saturday, also play United on May 19 in the FA Cup final at Wembley.