He may not be 100% in time but he is determined to play anyway, with a pain killer if needed.

‘‘It’s getting better and I assume I will be playing.‘‘ said Ballack.

‘‘If it hurts I can take pills and I’ll be fine.’’

Coach Rudi Voller will be hoping that 25-year-old Ballack, who is set to join Bayern Munich for next season, does play given the absence through injury of Sebastian Deisler and Mehmet Scholl, which leaves the Germans a little short of creative options.

Ballack knows that this German team will not be weighed down by great expectations after a disappointing qualifying campaign which ended with them needing a play-off win over Ukraine to make the finals.

‘‘We are not a great team yet - we are still developing, even if we do have many good players in our squad,’’ he said.

Ballack has resumed training but shooting remains a problem so he might need the painkillers.

Voller may need a few painkillers himself if Germany fail to reach the knock-out stage - his stated minimum target.

Ballack is eager to avoid any rash predictions.

‘‘We all want to go as far as we can in the tournament but it’s true that we don’t know exactly where we stand,’’ he said.

Ballack is equally keen to play down expectations about his performances during the tournament after a season in which he has earned rave reviews for his eye-catching displays in Europe.

‘‘I am pleased with all the nice things that have been said about me but I know from experience that you go through highs and lows in this game. What I have to do is keep working hard and giving my best while not putting too much pressure on myself.’’