Michael Ballack, the former Germany captain, will not be making a farewell appearance for his country after dismissing Joachim Löw's offer of a swansong against Brazil as "a farce", according to the Free Bet website.

Löw has opted to move on from the 34-year-old midfielder but raised the possibility of giving him a send off in next month's friendly against Brazil.

The former Chelsea player, now with Bayer Leverkusen, was not impressed by the idea.

Ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack has said that he is very much looking forward to the match with Bayern Munich on Sunday.

The 34-year-old has made 14 appearances for Leverkusen this season, but only six over 90 minutes, after back-to-back injuries saw him sidelined until the start of the year.

With Leverkusen second in the German league and on course for a Champions League berth next season, Ballack hopes to play the full 90 minutes at Bayern.

Ex-Chelsea star Michael Ballack is all set to start for Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League match against Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv.

"The game against Kharkiv is a good chance for Michael Ballack to get some match fitness back," Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voeller told daily newspaper Bild.

Michael Ballack, 34, has had a wretched season so far with injury as he tries to win back his place in the Germany team and the Round of 32, second-leg match, is a good chance for him to play 90 minutes, said Voeller.

Michael Ballack has suffered a left knee injury and he is still remaining on the bench due to it. Ballack was left on the bench in his side's 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, despite being told to warm up for approximately 40 minutes.

The 34-year-old has aggravated an old left knee injury, and should recommence training during the middle of the week.

"Whether he will be able to be back on Tuesday when the team does their first training sessions of the week depends on the process of the treatment," the statement said.

Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has backed the Michael Ballack to successfully captain the German national team. Ballack made his comeback after four months off with a leg injury on Sunday in Leverkusen’s 3-1 win at Moenchengladbach in the German league.

The 34-year-old had a torrid time in 2010 as an ankle injury in May ruled him out of the World Cup in South Africa, only for him to then fracture his leg during only his third game back in September.

Michael Ballack will be missing a few games after he is down with a certain virus. "Michael Ballack has left today's training session because of the effects of a virus," Leverkusen's communications head Meinolf Sprink told the sports news agency SID. "After a conversation with the team doctor and the player, there is no cause for concern."

Michael Ballack, who missed last year's World Cup through injury, came on at halftime on Thursday to help his team beat second division Rot-Weiss Oberhausen 2-1 in a friendly.

Joachim Low says that he is waiting for Michael Ballack to return from injury and will take over as captain duties with the national team. Michael Ballack, 34 years old and missed the World Cup through injury, could return after the Christmas break in a decisive match against Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga leaders, reported Leverkusen. The footballer low in September caused by a left shin injury, previously gave the captain badge combined Teutonic Philipp Lahm by another injury in his right calf muscle.

Bayern Leverkusen are in touch with the table leaders in the Germany despite missing the likes of Michael Ballack. Bayer Leverkusen stay third after a 3-2 win over Cologne on Sunday.

With Germany star Michael Ballack set to return from injury in January, Leverkusen are in touch with the leaders with two league games left before the winter break.

Joachim Loew has told that he is confident that Michael Ballack will return to German national team. Ballack has been out of action since September with a fractured leg, and missed the 2010 World Cup with a serious ankle injury.

"I hope he reaches the 100-cap mark, because Michael has been an ambassador for this country for a long time," Loew told Bild. "He doesn't deserve to end his career like this.

"Michael will fight for his chance, he is not someone who gives up easily." Michael Ballack is only two matches off reaching the milestone for his national team.

Germany head coach Joachim Low has confirmed he is taking in Chelsea's clash with Stoke to assess Michael Ballack's form.

The vastly-experienced midfielder, who is closing on a century of caps for his country, is certain to be part of Germany's World Cup finals squad this summer, with the sports betting placing him at 1/2 to make the squad.

Low insists the London trip is not unexpected and out of the blue and that he plans on holding talks with the former Bayern Munich man after the match.