MUNICH, June 9 (SW) - Germany skipper Michael Ballack believes he has suitably recovered from injury and wants to play in tonight’s World Cup opener against Costa Rica.

"I have had intensive treatment. I feel fit and I'm not feeling pain any more. I want to play," the 29-year-old Ballack told Friday's Bild newspaper.

"I have told the coach. It is up to him whether I play against Costa Rica or not."

A lingering calf injury forced Ballack to miss practice on Wednesday, with Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann deciding it would be best to rest the all-important midfielder.

"Of course we would have liked to have him in the team," Klinsmann said when announcing his decision.

"He's our captain and our leader.

“But he also said the injury, sustained in a match against Colombia last week, was on the mend.

"We'll leave him on the sidelines for this game and have him fit for the next one. It's annoying but not the end of the world.”

Werder Bremen’s Tim Borowski would most likely replace Ballack in the German midfield.

Germany also play Poland and Ecuador in Group A action.