Ballack to miss Ukraine trip

Bayer Leverkusen’s German international defender Michael Ballack will miss the club’s Europa League play-off second leg tie at Ukraine side Simferopol on Thursday, his team said.

Bayer Leverkusen are on their way to qualifying for the group stages after their 3-0 first leg win in which Ballack scored a penalty.

The 33-year-old midfielder was out of action for three months this summer with a right ankle injury which ruled him out of the World Cup.

He has stayed in Germany to work on his fitness ahead of Sunday’s Bundesliga game against Borussia Monchengladbach, the club said.

This is an important week for Ballack who will learn if Germany coach Joachim Loew has selected him for Euro 2012 qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan next week.

Finnish defender Sami Hyypia, who missed the first leg, and Stefan Kiessling, the club’s top scorer last season, will also miss the Ukraine tie.