Ballack confident about return

German captain Michael Ballack insisted he will play again this year, despite reports in the press here the Chelsea midfielder will not make his comeback until 2008.
The 31-year-old has been out with an ankle injury since April 22 and German national team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt said last week Germany's captain is still a few weeks away from resuming training.
But according to a report in Wednesday's edition of German magazine Sport-Bild, Ballack will not play again until 2008.
Speaking on German television channel Premier after watching his side's 2-0 Champions League win over Bundesliga side Schalke 04 on Wednesday night, Ballack insisted he will be back in Premier League action for Chelsea later this season.
"I am not a doctor, I am just a player, but I think I will be playing again this year, the pain has almost gone," he insisted.
"I will need to work hard in training to get my fitness up, but I plan to play again this year.
"I don't know where that information came from, I am very optimistic of my prospects of training with Chelsea again soon.
"It is not like a cruciate knee ligament injury when a player knows he will be back in six months.
"My injury is complicated, but I can reassure you I will do all I can to return as fast as I can."
Ballack injured his ankle in April's Premier League clash with Newcastle and required two operations.
The midfielder has missed seven German internationals as his country became the first side to qualify for next summer's Euro 2008 tournament.