Germany captain Ballack works on fitness

Jun 10, 2006, 18:19 GMT

Berlin - Germany captain Michael Ballack took part in a special training session Saturday in a bid to be fit to face Poland on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old midfielder trained with the squad's US fitness specialists and doctors at the team's World Cup base in Berlin.

Ballack missed Germany's 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in Friday's opening match, but he hopes to be available for the second Group A match against the Poles in Dortmund.

He has yet to complete a full training session with the squad since arriving in Berlin on Monday.

Ballack said he would follow the advice of team doctor Hans- Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt on his troublesome right calf muscle.

'We've got a few days. I will be training carefully over the next one or two days,' he said.

On the doctor's advice, Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann rested Ballack against Costa Rica, although the player had said he was ready to play. Klinsmann said the risk of a more serious injury was too great.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff denied any rift between Ballack and Klinsmann over the injury. 'It led to discussion but there is no conflict,' he said.

The German players who started the World Cup opener took part in regeneration work Saturday, while the 10 reserves and substitutes were given a training session at the Hertha Berlin amateur team's ground. The players were given the afternoon off.

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who turned his ankle during the game, was pronounced fit.