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Michael Ballack will not play in Germany's World Cup opener against Costa Rica tomorrow.
The Chelsea midfielder has been struggling with a calf strain sustained in a friendly against Colombia on 2 June.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann said: 'He is not available. Ballack was forced to end practice yesterday after 30 minutes and it does not look as if he will be able to play tomorrow against Costa Rica.'
Ballack scored in the 3-0 victory over Colombia and then spent two days away with his family.
He did not receive any treatment for his injury before Klinsmann assembled his squad in Berlin on Monday.
On Tuesday, Ballack has described his injury as 'nagging' but said he expected to play.
Klinsmann now says his playmaker will return 'as soon as possible'.
Klinsmann said: 'He will be back in full practice as soon as we get the green light from the doctors.'
