The former Germany captain scored the winning goal, his first in the Bundesliga for five years, before he was injured in a collision with Freiburg's Jan Rosenthal in the second half.

Ballack took part in a 75-minute training session with his team-mates in Spain yesterday afternoon while wearing a protective face mask, and it could be that he will be able to face Valencia.

Leno is keeping his fingers crossed the 35-year-old can be involved, telling www.tz-online.de: ""Michael Ballack is in super shape and is a very important part of the team.

"He is a personality on the field. With his experience, he anticipates a lot. He has played as many Champions League matches as the entire team. He can be very valuable in Valencia."

Leverkusen trail Ballack's former club Chelsea by one point at the top of Champions League Group E and are four ahead of third-placed Valencia heading into tomorrow night's game..