Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack Aiming To Return For Bundesliga Opener

Michael Ballack intends to be fit for Bayer Leverkusen's season opener against Borussia Dortmund, the midfielder has announced to the Bundesliga's official website.

The 33-year-old claimed that a late August return is his aim, but it depends on how he feels. "When you've been out for 10 to 12 weeks, rehabilitation included, it can be the case that you have to put things back a week or so. So I'm not going to put an exact date on it.

"The fitness has to be there, and I'll have to be 100 per cent."

Ballack suffered ankle ligament damage during Chelsea's FA Cup final victory at the end of the 2009-10 season, and missed the World Cup as a result. During the summer he joined Leverkusen on a free transfer, returning to the club for which he played between 1999 and 2002.

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