Ballack set to give up armband

Chelsea star Michael Ballack is set to stand down as Germany captain to be replaced as skipper by Philipp Lahm, according to Munich newspaper Abendzeitung here on Thursday.
Ballack, 32, apologised to Germany coach Joachim Loew last weekend for criticising him in a German newspaper and the pair are set to meet face to face to discuss the situation.
The Abendzeitung claims Ballack will stand down as captain as a compromise to keep his place in the team, but the article cites no source.
The German Football Federation (DFB) have not commented.