Foot surgery for Ballack

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has undergone surgery on both feet, the German football federation have announced.

The Germany captain had the operation in Augsburg on Friday after complaining of pain in his feet after Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Wales.

The German FA confirmed the 32-year-old had an operation to remove a neuroma - a benign nerve tumour – from both feet.

The surgery passed without complications.

National team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt told www.dfb.de: “Michael Ballack complained after the World Cup qualifier against Wales on Wednesday repeatedly about strong pains in both feet.

“An MRI scan on Thursday confirmed our suspicions of a neuroma, so after speaking with the club doctor, manager and coach at Chelsea we decided to operate immediately on both feet.

“If the recovery goes normally, Michael will probably be able to return to training in two weeks.”