Ballack to return to training on Wednesday, Germans say

BERLIN, June 7 (Reuters) Germany captain Michael Ballack has been cleared to return to training, boosting his hopes of playing in the opening match of the World Cup against Costa Rica in Munich on Friday.

Ballack is trying to recover from a calf strain suffered in Germany's 3-0 win over Colombia on June 2. He has not trained with the German squad since then.

''The medical department is working flat out and Michael Ballack is making progress in his recovery,'' a German Football Football Association spokesman told reporters. ''He will be able to train later today.'' Germany, the hosts and three times World Cup winners, also play Poland and Ecuador in Group A.

REUTERS DH PM1757