Ballack coy about Germany return in Italy friendly

Having made his first start since September, Germany captain Michael Ballack was coy about whether he expects to be named this week in Joachim Loew’s squad to face Italy in a friendly.

Germany take on the 2006 World Cup winners in Dortmund on February 9 and Ballack is hoping his 90 minutes in Leverkusen’s 2-0 win over Hanover last Friday was enough to win back his place when the team is announced.

Ballack, 34, suffered an injury-plagued 2010.

An ankle injury last May ruled him out of the World Cup only for the Germany captain to then fracture his leg in only his third game back last September.

The ex-Chelsea star joined Leverkusen at the start of the season and Ballack says he has had no contact with Germany coach Loew, who will name his squad towards the end of the week.

“I still have lots of work to do to get completely fit again,” said Ballack.

“Perhaps the lord will look down and say, ‘he has had enough bad luck’, I hope so.”

Loew has said Ballack will have to work hard just to win back his place in the national team with Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm captaining the side in his absence.

With 98 caps to his name, Ballack has not played for Germany since the pre-World Cup 1-0 defeat to Argentina last March.

“For the moment there is no contact with Jogi Loew,” said Ballack. “I have to keep putting in good performances with Leverkusen first. The coach will then decide how things will go.”

The statistics show Ballack played well against Hanover in the victory which left his side second in the Bundesliga table behind leaders Dortmund.

He won 52 per cent of his one-on-one challenges, touched the ball 94 times and 73 of his passes found their man.

Ballack’s presence on the field is something Loew may yet find a place for as Germany look set to qualify for next year’s Euro 2012 to be held in the Ukraine and Poland as they are dominating the qualifying group.