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Ballack fears ease

26 Jun 2006 - 14:01:36

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Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has confirmed that his captain Michael Ballack will be fit to play in Friday's eagerly-anticipated quarter-final against Argentina.

The 29-year-old Chelsea midfielder missed training on Sunday with a foot injury but Klinsmann said: "Michael had trouble with his foot but there is no problem."

Ballack sustained the injury in Saturday's comfortable 2-0 victory against Sweden. He missed Germany's opening game against Costa Rica with a calf strain.

Meanwhile, Klinsmann has distanced himself from reports linking him with the USA manager's job.

"That doesn't interest me at all," he added. "At the moment, I'm only interested in my job and that has to continue to the final.

"It's speculation. It's something completely normal that there is speculation about the coach in a country that gets knocked out."

Klinsmann, who currently lives in California with his American wife, has a two-year contract with Germany that expires after the World Cup.

The USA, coached by Bruce Arena, picked up only one point, against Italy, in their three Group E games.