foxsports
German sports weekly Kicker says Germany coach Joachim Loew is leaving Michael Ballack home for the team's first two 2012 European Championship qualifiers, saying he is not yet fit.
Germany's longtime captain injured his ankle in the FA Cup final, knocking him out of the World Cup. Kicker reported without citing its sources Thursday that Loew will not name Ballack to his lineup. An announcement is planned Friday.
Ballack made a successful Bundesliga comeback with Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday. The team kept him home from a Europa League qualifier Thursday to "regenerate." He is to play again this weekend.
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