BERLIN, June 11: Germany captain Michael Ballack is fit to play in the hosts' next World Cup group game against Poland on Wednesday, manager Jurgen Klinsmann said on Sunday.

Ballack missed Friday's tournament-opening 4-2 win over Costa Rica with a calf injury but is back in training and will be back in the fold against Poland.

“The other players had a day off today but Michael Ballack did some light training and the medical team informed us that he is fine,” Klinsmann said at a press conference.

“We expect him to train again on Monday and then play against Poland.”

Klinsmann also denied that there had been a disagreement with his captain over whether he was fit enough to take part against Costa Rica.

Ballack, 29, caused a stir on match day by saying he was fit to play despite Klinsmann insisting that he was not 100 percent fit.

“There was no misunderstanding with Michael,” Klinsmann maintained. “Michael said he wanted to play but the doctors said he was a risk with his calf troubling him.—AFP