Ballack boost for Blues

Chelsea boss Avram Grant has been boosted the news that Germany midfielder Michael Ballack is entering the final weeks of his recovery from a long-term ankle injury.

Ballack has not played since April because of an ankle problem that has so far required two operations.

Chelsea are continuing to work closely with Germany’s medical team in a bid to get the midfielder back to full fitness.

Although Chelsea club doctor Brian English admits that Ballack’s return to full training is still some way off, he said: “We are in constant dialogue with the German medical team and every stage of Michael’s rehabilitation has been and will continue to be with the full co-operation between club and country.

“There is still some way to go before Michael can return back to full training and we will continue to monitor his injury situation on a daily basis during these final weeks of his rehabilitation.”

German national team doctor Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt spoke earlier of the close agreement with the player’s club adding that he thought the 31-year-old would be back in full training in a number of weeks.