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LONDON - Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack will miss Thursday morning's (NZT) Champions League soccer semifinal, first leg against Liverpool because of an ankle injury, manager Jose Mourinho said today.
The Germany captain limped off in the first half of Sunday's 0-0 Premier League draw against Newcastle United and did not train with the squad on Tuesday.
"Ballack is not playing," Mourinho said, adding that Portugal central defender Ricardo Carvalho was also a doubt.
He said Carvalho, who did no play on Sunday, had a hamstring problem. Carvalho trained with the squad at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday and looked to be moving easily.
Chelsea are also without winger Arjen Robben who has a knee problem and Michael Essien who is suspended for the first leg.
- REUTERS