Soccer: Ballack still a doubt for Germany

BERLIN - Hosts Germany are still not certain captain Michael Ballack will be fit for the opening World Cup game against Costa Rica on Saturday.

Ballack said he assumed he would recover from a calf injury for the first of the 64 games at the world's most-watched sporting event but Germany's coaching staff were more cautious.

"We hope that after a little rest and the work of the medical department he will be fit," said assistant coach Joachim Loew.

"It's just a little calf muscle problem but it is a nagging injury," added Loew.

The midfielder, who joined English champions Chelsea last month, is the outstanding talent in a Germany side otherwise lacking in creativity. He was injured in a 3-0 win over Colombia last Friday, Germany's last warm-up match before the finals.

Ballack missed training on Tuesday but took part in an indoor workout yesterday.

"I think it will continue improving day by day and I assume I will be able to play on Friday," the player said.

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Meanwhile, injured England striker Wayne Rooney took part in the first 20 minutes of a session at England's training base near Baden Baden yesterday.

He then did a mixture of running, sprinting and ball work on his own with the fitness coach.

Rooney's scan in Manchester today should determine whether he can play any part in the tournament.

"I think he looks very good," England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said, though he also added a note of caution.

"It's totally up to the surgeons, the specialists, the doctors and physios. I can't judge it," he said.

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Serbia & Montenegro tried to get the focus back on their preparations after the coach's son withdrew from the squad after complaints by fans that his selection pointed to nepotism.

Coach Ilija Petkovic said his son Dusan had returned home from their training camp in Felden, Austria, to "put an end to an ordeal" while the rest of the players flew to Germany.

On arrival at Muenster airport, captain Savo Milosevic said the players were in good spirits and hoping to reach the second round from a difficult group that features Argentina, Netherlands and Ivory Coast.

"The team spirit is outstanding and nothing can disrupt the atmosphere we have got."

- REUTERS