Germans handed Ballack blow

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack says he will be on the sidelines for two more weeks with a foot injury.

The German International ace picked up the injury during Chelsea's opening-day victory over Portsmouth and has not figured since.

The player's foot is still bruised and Ballack says it will be two more weeks before he is able to return to the Blues first-team, which means he is likely to miss the game against Manchester City.

Ballack revealed to German Channel 2: "The original diagnosis of the Chelsea doctor has been confirmed. It means that I will be out for at least two weeks."

The injury means the player will also miss Germany's World Cup qualifying matches against Liechtenstein this coming Saturday and Finland on September 10.