Ballack ruled out of World Cup

Germany captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out of the World Cup finals on account of an ankle injury.

Ballack limped out of the FA Cup final on Saturday following a tackle from Kevin-Prince Boateng and confirmed after Chelsea's win that he would be heading for a scan.

The results have come back negative as far as Ballack and Germany are concerned as the damage is severe enough to rule him out of the World Cup which begins on June 11.

More to follow

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/23113.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

Germany Midfielder Michael Ballack To Miss World Cup Due To Injury
The experienced midfielder will miss this summer's World Cup due to an ankle injury...
By Stefan Coerts

May 17, 2010 10:47:00 AM

Germany coach Joachim Loew will have to make do without the services of experienced midfielder Michael Ballack at this summer's World Cup due to the Chelsea star's ankle injury.

Ballack sustained the injury in Saturday's FA Cup final against Portsmouth after a reckless challenge by Kevin Prince-Boateng that forced him to leave the pitch.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder underwent further examination on Monday and an MRI scan has revealed that Ballack has damaged the ligaments in his right ankle. The veteran will have to wear a cast for the next two weeks before he can start his recovery process.

Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, team doctor of the German national side, has indicated that Ballack will be sidelined for at least eight weeks due to the ankle injury.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/05/17/1928753/germany-midfielder-michael-ballack-to-miss-world-cup-due-to