Michael Ballack has been left out of the Germany squad for next month's Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Former skipper not named in squad for Euro 2012 qualifiers
Michael Ballack has been left out of the Germany squad for next month's Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Coach Joachim Low revealed his 21-man squad on Friday which includes the vast majority of the team that featured in the World Cup.
Ballack hadn't played in the summer tournament due to an ankle injury which he suffered in last season's FA Cup final when playing for his former club Chelsea.
The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder is getting back to form after nearly three months on the sidelines but Low said he isn't quite there yet.
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"We had a good and truthful discussion," Low said, having spoken with Ballack on the phone prior to making his squad announcement.
"Michael is on a good road back after three months out with his injury and everyone is satisfied with his recovery.
"It is important now for him to find his top form with Leverkusen."
Ballack, who has won 98 caps for his country, played the full 90 minutes in Leverkusen's 2-0 win over Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund last week.
Germany will face Belgium in Brussels in their first Euro 2012 qualifier on September 3rd before meeting Azerbaijan in Cologne four days later.
Germany squad:
Manuel Neuer, Rene Adler, Tim Wiese, Holger Badstuber, Marcell Jansen, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Sascha Riether, Heiko Westermann, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Marko Marin, Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Christian Trasch, Cacau, Mario Gomez, Stefan Kiessling, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller, Lukas Podolski.
