Germany captain Michael Ballack has admitted he does not expect to recover from injury in time to face England at Wembley on August 22.
The 30-year-old midfielder has been struggling to overcome an ankle problem, which has also ruled him out of Chelsea's start to the new Premier League season.
And despite the game still being a week and a half away, he does not expect to feature.
"It is highly likely that I will not be playing," he told German TV station Premiere. "It does not look good."
Germany coach Joachim Low has also resigned himself to the fact that he may be without the influential player for what promises to be a tough encounter.
"I do not expect him to play - as annoying as it is," Low told ARD TV. "If he is not 100% fit, I will not play him. I would love to have him available for such a match, but he probably will not be fit."
And despite the game still being a week and a half away, he does not expect to feature.
"It is highly likely that I will not be playing," he told German TV station Premiere. "It does not look good."
Germany coach Joachim Low has also resigned himself to the fact that he may be without the influential player for what promises to be a tough encounter.
"I do not expect him to play - as annoying as it is," Low told ARD TV. "If he is not 100% fit, I will not play him. I would love to have him available for such a match, but he probably will not be fit."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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