Michael Ballack celebrates a goal for Euro 2008 finalists Germany

Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff says it would be a huge loss if captain Michael Ballack is ruled out of Wednesday's game against Wales.

The former international striker is hoping Ballack recovers from a calf injury in time to face a Wales side he says should not be taken lightly.

"We will not underestimate the Welsh," said Bierhoff. "We do that at our peril.

"You cannot say 'it is only Wales so we can do without Ballack'."

Chelsea midfielder Ballack injured his calf in Saturday's 2-1 win over Russia and has not trained since.

He will be given as much time as possible to recover, but will not be risked if there is any doubt over his fitness.

With or without Ballack, Bierhoff is so confident of being successful in Group Four, where they lead Wales by a point, that he is already planning a trip to host nation South Africa.

"We need the three points and then we will be able to go to South Africa to look at hotels and plan our training and organise the preparation for the finals," he added.

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"Mind you, we've been there too! Three months ago, but we kept that quiet."

Stuttgart midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is relishing re-acquainting himself with Craig Bellamy, from his days in the Premier League.

"I remember Bellamy, he is a strong, dangerous player," said former Aston Villa player Hitzlsperger.

"Maybe he can be temperamental, but that is his strong point.

"He is a very good player with pace, and we expect him to be playing up front on his own.

"Even so, we must not make one mistake or he will punish us."

Loew says Kuranyi will never play for Germany again

"We know they can defend very well," said Loew.

"They are a typical British team - very robust, determined and have a lot of energy."

But Germany's preparations have been overshadowed by the axing of striker Kevin Kuranyi from the squad.

The Schalke player, 26, walked out on the squad on Saturday during the interval of the win over Russia after failing to make the 18-man party.

Loew said Kuranyi had apologised, but would not be put back into the squad.

He said: "Kevin called me and we spoke briefly. He apologised for his behaviour.

"He said it was just a reaction, that it was a mistake to leave the team, and I said that I accepted that, but I had made my decision and it could not be changed.

Loew will have Patrick Helmes, Lukas Podolski, Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose to choose from up front, with Torsten Frings also in a strong squad.

But Hamburg full-back Marcell Jansen is out after tearing a muscle in his left thigh and Real Madrid centre-back Christoph Metzelder has been left out.

Loew has added further experience with Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich also back from injury.

Bruising midfielder Jermaine Jones and young goalkeeper Rene Adler have also made the squad.

Germany squad - Goalkeepers: Robert Enke (Hanover 96), Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)

Defenders: Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg SV), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (VfB Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04)

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV)

Forwards: Mario Gomez (VfB Stuttgart), Patrick Helmes (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich)