Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack faces a battle to extend his international career.
Germany coach Joachim Low has raised doubts as to whether Bayer Leverkusen star Ballack will ever return to the national team following his latest injury setback.
"Generally speaking, and this does not only apply to Michael Ballack, everybody has got to realise when their time at the top is over," said Low to the Badische Zeitung newspaper.
"After this latest injury setback, we are going to have to see whether Michael Ballack makes it to Euro 2012, when he will be 35."
