Germany will be without skipper Michael Ballack for their Euro 2008 Group D qualifiers against San Marino on June 2 in Nuremberg and Slovakia on June 6 in Hamburg, as the Chelsea midfielder is yet to recover fully after undergoing a surgery to remove a floating bone in his ankle last month.

30-year-old Ballack, who signed for the Blues as a free agent last summer, missed the final few matches in a crucial phase of the season and has withdrawn from the immediate international duty.

"Ballack informed coach Joachim Loew on Thursday that he will not be able to play," German Football Association (DFB) spokesman Harald Stenger said in a statement.

"He is continuing rehabilitation work in London after an operation on his left ankle."

He has joined a long list of Germany absentees including Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski, Tim Borowski, Oliver Neuville, Gerald Asamoah and Mike Hanke but coach Joachim Loew reportedly does not want to name a replacement. Meanwhile, David Odonkor and Arne Friedrich have been omitted from the squad as they have just recovered from long injury lay-offs and lack match practice.

Ballack had picked up the injury in the Blues’ 0-0 draw at Newcastle United on April 22. He had then undergone a surgery five days later in Germany.

It may be recalled that following the surgery, Ballack was criticised for proceeding with it and was said to be biased towards his country.

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