Ballack returns to Germany set-up

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has been named in the Germany squad for Wednesday night's friendly against Austria in Vienna -- and is set to make his first international appearance for almost a year.

The 31-year-old last played for Germany in their Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in Prague in March 2007, but an ankle injury in Chelsea's Premier League clash with Newcastle last April kept him out until December.

Ballack is set to win his 78th cap as coach Joachim Loew names an almost full-strength side with only Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings and Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder missing.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/01/31/germany.ballack/index.html