Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has again dismissed claims he gave up too easily on making the World Cup.

Germany star Ballack is resigned to making the trip to South Africa only as a spectator.

He said: "A few wonder-healers have contacted me, but I don't believe in miracles. The World Cup is forgotten.

"I have a fantastic doctor who I trust wholeheartedly. It would be defying nature to treat a torn ligament differently - there is no chance of me making it."

Yet Chelsea midfielder Ballack, 33, has no doubt he will be able reach the 100-cap milestone for his national team.

He is currently on 98 and was expecting to make 100 even before the World Cup by taking part in warm-up friendly matches against Hungary and Bosnia.

But he insisted his international career was not over.

Ballack said: "I will be back."