Loew waiting on Ballack injury news

(GSM) – Germany coach Joachim Loew is apparently awaiting news over the fitness of national team captain Michael Ballack, who picked up an injury during Chelsea’s FA Cup triumph on Saturday.

Ballack became a victim of a heavy tackle by Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng, who can be an opponent of Germany at the World Cup this summer if he makes the cut in Ghana’s 23-man squad.

Preliminary X-rays confirmed that no bones were broken, but Ballack will undergo a scan later today to assess the full extent of the damage he picked up in the 1-0 FA Cup final victory.

“I have tried to get hold of him but have not been able to,” said Low.

“I have heard that nothing is broken, which is a relief, and that he will undergo a scan tomorrow (Sunday). I hope he gets good news from the hospital.

“Of course we need our captain. He has so much experience.”

After watching video footage of the foul, Loew was critical of Boateng’s challenge. The midfielder recently switched allegiances from Germany to Ghana after seeing his chances of breaking into Loew’s squad limited.

“He had no chance of getting the ball and a foul like that can seriously injure a player,” Loew told ZDF television.

Ballack, who had clashed with Boateng only minutes before the incident, felt that his opponent had set out to hurt him.

“I hope not, but the images indicate that he did (mean it),” said the Germany captain.