Ballack out of Germany squad for Belgium friendly

Germany captain Michael Ballack is ruled out of his country's squad for their international friendly against Belgium on Wednesday, the German football federation (DFB) said on Monday.

The Chelsea midfielder had to exit the field in the English Premier League side's 4-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday and is being treated for a bruise to his left foot, the DFB statement added.

Following the injury, Ballack contacted Germany coach Joachim Loew to say he would not be fit to play in Wednesday's match at Nuremburg.

Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings also ruled himself out of the Belgium fixture, the 31-year-old is suffering from muscular strain after the match between his club and Bielefeld (2-2).

Others on the injury list are Germaine Jones of Schalke 04, suffering from an ankle problem and goalkeeper Rene Adler of Bayer Leverkusen.