Calf confusion reigns as Ballack saga goes on

MUNICH, June 9 (Reuters) German fans awoke to confusion on the opening morning of the World Cup when injured captain Michael Ballack declared himself fit and eager to play despite being ruled out by coach Juergen Klinsmann.

Klinsmann said yesterday he would wait until the midfielder had fully recovered from his calf strain.

Ballack apparently has other ideas.

''I want to play,'' screamed the headline on the top selling Bild newspaper and television and radio seized on the story, filling their programmes with renewed speculation on the state of ''the country's calf''.

''We've worked on the injury intensively,'' Ballack was quoted as saying in Bild. ''I feel fit. I'm no longer in any pain.

''Whether I play against Costa Rica is up to the coach.'' Bild hinted the difference of opinion was the sign of a rift between coach and captain, perhaps caused by Ballack's recent comments about the side not concentrating enough on defence.

In public the two men have been at pains to stress their good relationship. Klinsmann said yesterday there was no question of him being angry with Ballack.

Assuming Ballack does not play in the Group A opener, he is likely to be replaced by Tim Borowski in central midfield. Bernd Schneider would be the obvious candidate for the captain's armband.

Germany also play Poland and Ecuador in Group A.

REUTERS DH PM1502