Germany's captain Michael Ballack will miss Saturday's World Cup will miss the third-place play-off in Stuttgart against Portugal due to a knee injury, the Germany Football Association said this morning.
"The doctors strongly advise against him playing," the association's website said.
The 29-year-old midfielder could not take part in a training session in Berlin on Friday due to the injury, the association added.
Chelsea's summer signing will now rest the calf injury which has plagued him throughout the World Cup finals. However, it should not threaten his participation for the Premiership champions in pre-season
Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann will also be without injured defenders Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker against Portugal.
Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will make way for Oliver Kahn to play his first game of the tournament.
Klinsmann admitted midfielder Tim Borowski is also doubtful through injury and a decision on his fitness will be made tomorrow.
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