Ballack could miss German Euro tie

Ballack is battling an ankle injury. Story Tools RELATED • Latest news in German: CNN.de

MUNICH, Germany -- Midfielder Michael Ballack is doubtful for Bayern Munich's Bundesliga game against Hertha Berlin this weekend and may have to drop out of Germany's final Euro 2004 qualifier on October 11, because of an ankle injury.

Germany top Group Five with 15 points, two more than second-placed Iceland, and need a draw from their final qualifier to make sure of a direct place for next year's finals.

Ballack, hurt in Bayern's Champions League draw with Anderlecht on Tuesday, could not train on Thursday.

A club spokesman said that if he was unfit on Saturday he would probably miss Germany's Group Five qualifier against Iceland in Hamburg.

Germany welcome back Werder Bremen midfielder Fabian Ernst after a one-year absence and hope for a much-improved display after the 0-0 draw in Reykjavik last month.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Kahn (Bayern Munich), Lehmann (Arsenal)

Defenders: Baumann ( Bremen), Friedrich, Hartmann, Rehmer (all Hertha Berlin), Hinkel (Stuttgart), Woerns ( Dortmund)

Midfielders: Ballack (Bayern Munich), Ernst ( Bremen), Kehl ( Dortmund), Christian Rahn (Hamburg), Ramelow, Schneider (both Leverkusen)

Attackers: Fredi Bobic (Hertha Berlin), Miroslav Klose (Kaiserslautern), Oliver Neuville (Leverkusen), Kevin Kuranyi ( Stuttgart).

Luque recalled

Deportivo de la Coruna forward Alberto Luque was the surprise choice as Spanish coach Inaki Saez announced an 18-man squad for the European Championship qualifier against Armenia.

Luque, who has made two appearances during last year's World Cup, had not been called up since Saez took charge shortly after the tournament.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), Canizares (Valencia).

Defenders: Puyol (Barcelona), Helguera, Salgado (both Real Madrid), Marchena (Valencia), Gutierrez (Betis).

Midfielders: Sanchez (Betis), Etxeberria (Bilbao), Baraja, Albelda and Rodriguez (all Valencia), Valeron (Deportivo), Alonso (Sociedad).

Forwards; Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul (Real Madrid), Reyes (Sevilla), Luque (Deportivo).

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