Ballack expects armband back

Midfielder confident captain's role is still his

Last updated: 12th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ballack expects armband back

Ballack: Had to surrender role

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Michael Ballack claims to have been assured by Joachim Low that he remains Germany's national captain.

The 33-year-old midfielder was forced to surrender the armband this summer as injury ruled him out of the 2010 World Cup.

In his absence, Bayern Munich full-back Philipp Lahm skippered the side in South Africa.

He has since declared that he wishes to retain that role, with a third-placed finish at football's showpiece event doing his claims no harm at all.

However, Ballack insists the position is not up for grabs as he is set to be reinstated once he returns to the international fold.

Calm

"When the question of captaincy came up during the tournament I waited until the end of the competition to call 'Jogi' Low," Ballack told SID.

"And the coach then assured me that I should not have any concerns and that I should just stay calm."

Ballack, who re-joined Bayer Leverkusen as a free agent this summer, and Lahm were both missing for Germany's 2-2 draw with Denmark on Wednesday.

Before that match, Low had said that he would make a decision on the captaincy at the beginning of September following 'serious discussions' with the two leading candidates.

With Germany set to get their Euro 2012 qualification campaign under way against Belgium on 3rd September, Ballack and Lahm can expect an answer before then.

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