Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack insists his international career is not over.

Ballack picked up an ankle injury in the FA Cup final after being fouled by Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng and has been told he will not be able to play again for at least two months. That diagnosis ruled him out of the World Cup, but it will not bring his international career to an end at the age of 33.

"I won't let my international career come to an end because of a foul like this," the Germany midfielder said. "I never said that I would retire after the World Cup. I want to continue playing at the highest level and I will consider things in calm over the next few weeks."