The German fans will be there to party with their team already heading for next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland, and they see the Welsh as sacrificial lambs to the slaughter.

So the sight of skipper Ballack training with his national squad here would have instilled even more trepidation in the Welsh.

But Germany coach Joachim Low gave them some relief by insisting Ballack was only around "to take in the atmosphere and be with the squad".

With his next breath, however, Low took away Wales' hope that a conspiracy to sidestep the seedings for the finals - the theory being that Germany do not want to finish top of Group D and would rather be in the second set of seeds with the chance of playing the Swiss, Austrians or holders Greece - was swept away.

Low said: "It is not in our mentality to do anything but play for a win. We do not go out to draw or be defeated, that is not in our nature.

"We will only look at the situation and take stock after our final group match and the draw, but not before."

Ballack, who has been out for Chelsea all season following an ankle operation, could be back in action in a month for the west Londoners, and Low said: "It was his own wish that he was here to soak up the atmosphere. It was natural for him to join us and he has trust in the German medical staff.

"He is on the way up now and recovering well from the operation. He has trained with the team and everything is going to plan, and slowly but surely he is looking to get back into the Chelsea starting line-up."

Bayer Leverkusen's Manuel Friedrich is expected to play instead of the rested Per Mertesacker in defence, with Roberto Hilbert replacing Friedrich.

Tim Borowski is likely to step in for Piotr Trochowski while Low is expected to start with Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez up front, with Oliver Neuville and Mike Hanke likely second-half substitutes.

Meanwhile, riddled with injuries, suspensions, retirements and withdrawals, Wales will field what boss John Toshack concedes is the "most inexperienced side in our country's history" on Wednesday.

And the manager knows that Germany's record win came just 14 months ago, when they triumphed 13-0 in San Marino.

He joked: "I've been told about that, it was two tries and a drop goal I believe."

Toshack may include seven players under 21, with four teenagers - Chris Gunter, Lewin Nyatanga, Neil Eardley and David Cotterill - all in contention.

Toshack has been stripped of experience for months now, and things have not improved since his squad arrived in Germany with Carl Fletcher now doubtful with a foot injury.

Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale withdrew before the squad even assembled and since then Jason Koumas and Carl Robinson (ankle ligaments) have pulled out from the side that gained much praise for their 2-2 draw with the Republic of Ireland.