Top doctor tells Chelsea not to rush Ballack back

The German doctor telephoned the club's head physio, Bryan English, after the midfielder underwent two days of treatment with his national team in the build-up to their Euro 2008 qualifier with Wales tonight in Frankfurt.

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Ballack, 31, is looking at a return before Christmas after an eight-month nightmare with an ankle injury. But the renowned physician is keen that Ballack takes it relatively easy as he steps up his rehabilitation programme.

German boss Joachim Low confirmed: 'Michael's told me he's on his way back. He's training with us and everything is going to plan. He has put his full trust in Muller-Wohlfahrt's team.'

The Germans face a Wales team that manager John Toshack yesterday declared was the most inexperienced he had ever fielded for an international.

Toshack said: 'With the people we have missing and the selection problems we have, it's going to be really tough.'

Germany: Lehmann, Hilbert, M Friedrich, Mertesacher, Lahm, Fritz, Hitzlsperger, Borowski, Podolski, Klose, Gomes.

Wales: Hennessey, Collins, Gabbidon, Nyatanga, Ricketts, Davies, Ledley, Fletcher (or Crofts), Gunter, Edwards, Earnshaw.

Referee: Pavel Balaj (Romania).

TV: BBC2 Wales (7pm, kick off 7.30)