BERLIN: German midfielder Michael Ballack, who missed the World Cup because of an ankle injury, is not fit enough to play in next month`s friendly against Denmark, his Bayer Leverkusen coach said on Tuesday.

The former Chelsea midfielder, who joined the German club during the summer, began training with his new teammates last week, but coach Jupp Heynckes does not think he is ready for the August 11 friendly.

"The match against Denmark is too soon for him. There`s no point in thinking about it," Heynckes told the daily Bild.

"It would be foolhardy. For a friendly game you have to be fully fit."

The 33-year-old injured his ankle in his last appearance for Chelsea in the English FA Cup final in May, and saw the German captain`s armband pass to Bayern Munich`s Philipp Lahm.

Coach Joachim Loew indicated last week that he would speak to both players about their future roles in the national team just before the Denmark game.

BDST: 1926HRS, July 27, 2010