Ballack set to miss Bayern opener

Michael Ballack is a doubt for FC Bayern München’s UEFA Champions League match against RC Deportivo La Coruña next Wednesday after suffering a cut above his eye and a foot injury in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat of  1. FC Nürnberg.

Missed training
The midfield player, who scored both Bayern goals on Saturday, was forced to miss training today. “Such things happen in football,'' he said. ”I didn't really think much about it when it happened. But my foot hurts a little now.''

Safe long-term
Neither of the injuries will cause any long-term concern to the 25-year-old German international, but do leave his appearance against the Spanish Cup winners in question. Bayern play at the Olympiastadion in their opening Group G encounter and Owen Hargreaves is Ballack’s likely replacement.

€14.5m deal
Ballack joined Bayern in the summer in a deal worth €14.5m from last season’s beaten Champions League finalists Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He has a contract with the Bavarian club until 2006.