Ballack happy to work his way back with Bayer

Michael Ballack admits he is still short of match practice after his first competitive appearance of the season for new club Bayer Leverkusen as he looks to regain the captaincy of the national side.

Ballack, 33, suffered an ankle injury in May that kept him out of the World Cup and allowed Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm to take over the captaincy of the national side as Germany finished third in South Africa.

With Germany playing Euro 2012 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan early next month, national coach Joachim Loew is expected to name his captain when the squad is announced next Friday.

Ballack made his competitive debut for Leverkusen in a Europa League qualifier on Thursday against Tavriya Simferopol of the Ukraine, with Bayer running out 3-0 winners.

He came off the bench in the 46th minute and netted a 91st-minute penalty, denying team-mate Michal Kadlec a hat-trick in the process.

“In general, I am satisfied,” said the midfielder, who was released by Chelsea this summer after four years in London.

“It was a good feeling to be back on the pitch, and a goal in the first game after my injury is obviously something special, it gives me more confidence, but I still need more match practice.”

Having played for Leverkusen from 1999 to 2002 before joining Bayern Munich and then Chelsea, Ballack is expected to make his return to the Bundesliga on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund.

“At Dortmund, we will be even more concentrated than here, I am sure,” said Ballack.

“I played my last game for Bayern against Dortmund, so I am glad I will be going back there with Leverkusen.

“Back then we were already champions and we drew 3-3 at home, but this time I want to win in Dortmund.”