Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff has warned Michael Ballack he will have to earn back his place in the national squad.
The Germany captain has been sidelined for Bayer Leverkusen with an ankle injury for much of the 2010-11 Bundesliga season, but is on track to resume in their clash with league leaders Borussia Dortmund on January 14.
But Bierhoff has told the 34-year-old former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder he will not be an automatic selection for national coach Joachim Low.
I agree but I think he will be back.The "young" team needs his character and personnality in their games,and I think he's gonna prove his critics wrong and get back to the team