Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has revealed that there was never any real hope of him undergoing experimental medical treatment on his ankle injury which would have allowed him to play at the World Cup for Germany this summer.

Ballack sustained the injury during the FA Cup final against Portsmouth and has been ruled out of this summer's tournament.

Reports had surfaced claiming that his recovery was set to be boosted but this is not actually the case. "I had also hoped this, but the doctoru00a0 soon took the wind out of my sails," Ballack said.