The elegant 25-year-old has made his big breakthrough this season, playing a key role in Germany's victory over Ukraine in last November's playoffs and in Leverkusen's run to the Champions League final.
But a hectic scheduled has taken its toll and Ballack, who will play for Bayern Munich next season, has looked only the shadow of his brilliant self in his recent outings, mostly because of a bruised foot.
The withdrawal of Deisler, who had only recently returned from a lengthy layoff when he hurt his troublesome right knee again in Saturday's 6-2 thrashing of Austria, was the worst thing that could happen to Germany coach Rudi Voeller.
'At first we had a glimmer of hope but now the most important thing to think about is the health of Sebastian rather than the World Cup,' said Voeller, whose team fly out to their base in Japan on Wednesday.
Voeller, who had to hand over his official 23-man squad to FIFA on Tuesday, was expected to replace Deisler with Borussia Dortmund's Lars Ricken.
Stefan Beinlich and Joerg Boehme, both also on standby, could step in as well but neither of the three candidates has Deisler's aura nor his creative skills. |
Soccer Media
