I'm at my best says Ballack
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack feels he is in good shape for the club's final push this season, after having been forced to sit out the early part of the campaign because of an ankle problem.
"It's always important to be in good shape and at your best at the end of the season, when it's all about the championships," Ballack told German newsmagazine Der Spiegel.
"I didn't play for half a year, because of my ankle injury, which is why this season doesn't feel drawn-out to me.
"I feel fit and I'm highly motivated."
Chelsea look set to go into Saturday's Premier League title showdown against Manchester United without grieving midfielder Frank Lampard, whose mother passed away on Thursday afternoon.
The Stamford Bridge club have offered Lampard, 29, their full support as he comes to terms with the loss.
England international Lampard missed the recent Premier League games against Wigan and Everton after his 58-year-old mother Pat was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
He then resumed training earlier this week ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League semi-final first leg at Liverpool after his mother had showed signs of improvement - only for her condition to deteriorate rapidly.
A statement from Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, read: "It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Pat Lampard passed way this afternoon.
"Frank would like to acknowledge and say thank you for the compassion shown to him by the manager Avram Grant and all the staff at Chelsea Football Club during what has been a terribly traumatic period for him and his family.
"Frank and his family would also like to thank all the people who have been inundating them with wishes of support."
Lampard is now expected to receive further compassionate leave to be with his family.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Nemanja Vidic is likely to miss Saturday's Premier League title showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The defender received hospital treatment for a stomach problem on Tuesday and was forced out of Manchester United's goalless draw with Barcelona on Wednesday night.
Ferguson confirmed Vidic had a stomach infection and is unlikely to return against Chelsea.
"He was 24, 36 hours without eating," the United boss explained.
"He had some soup this afternoon, but wasn't ready to play. I don't think he'll be ready for Saturday, that's the situation, it's a stomach infection, (although) we don't know what kind of infection it is.
He added: "Yesterday before training, he had very severe stomach pains, so we sent him off to a hospital only about a mile away.
"We felt that was the best place for him to go. He was kept in until late at night and then they let him go."
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