Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has been told he should be preparing to play for Germany in the World Cup.

National team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt ruled out Ballack from the World Cup earlier this week due to ankle ligament damage.

But independent experts in Germany are now questioning whether Muller-Wohlfahrt gave up too quickly on Ballack, 33, and are claiming they have methods that could have got him fit in time for the finals, that start on June 11.

Dr Markus Becker, from the German Orthopaedics Network, said: "With the help of a new treatment method, Michael's healing could be accelerated significantly. He could be at least partially restored in time for the World Cup."

Nuremberg's physician Dr Matthias Brem said: "I got a player with a similar injury fit again after four days. Since there are no side effects from my treatment, we should try it with Ballack." But the German FA are standing firmly by Muller-Wohlfahrt's diagnosis and insist there was no prospect of Ballack recovering in time.

Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff said: "Dr Muller-Wohlfahrt is an internationally respected physician and we have every confidence in him."