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Ballack seeks alternative

09 Jun 2006 - 09:06:56

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Germany captain Michael Ballack is to seek treatment from an alternative therapist in a bid to speed up his recovery from a calf strain.

The Chelsea midfielder has already been ruled out of Friday's World Cup curtain raiser against Costa Rica and is willing to try anything to ensure he is ready to play in Germany's other Group A clashes with Poland and Ecuador.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said: "If there is someone Michael has confidence in, who are we to deny him the right to see them?

"If he wants alternative treatment, let him do it, but it's us who will decide whether he has a clean bill of health."

Klinsmann also insisted his squad is strong enough to cope with the absence of Ballack.

"The team would have loved to have their captain on board," he said. "It is a pity because we were in great shape but it is not a problem.

"We have two players for every position and if one player is not fit, there is another one waiting to fill in.

"Tim Borowski and Sebastian Kehl have been extremely good in training. We have faith in every single player.

"We need to be looking ahead. It is more important to have him (Ballack) back in full shape for the match against Poland (on June 14)."