Loew expects Ballack for Germany´s Far East tour

German national coach Joachim Loew said on Saturday he expects Michael Ballack to take part in Germany’s Far East tour later this month which could spark a club versus country row with his captain’s Chelsea side.

Ballack is set to feature for the English Premier League club in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday May 30, but Germany travel to China on May 26 to play the national side in Shanghai on Friday May 29.

Germany then fly to Dubai to play the United Arab Emirates side on June 2 and Loew says he wants his captain to be on the trip.

“Michael Ballack is our leader, he can integrate young players, bring them together and give them hints,” said Loew.

“These are valuable things he can tell the other players.

“However, they must have also the feeling: our captain is with us for these difficult situations.

“We decided this trip last year and it was agreed with both the Bundesliga and the German Football League, because the Chinese market is important for economic reasons,” added Loew.

But whether or not Ballack misses the Wembley showcase against Everton and travels to China remains to be seen with the London side desperate for some silverware this season.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski has been told he is on his final warning after he slapped Ballack during a World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on April 1.

“Your credit is used up: last chance,” Loew told Germany star Podolski.

“However a player such as Podolski, who always behaves so positively in the the national team circles, always deserves a second chance.”