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Reuters 18y

UPDATE 1-Soccer-Ballack to miss out again for misfiring Germany

(Adds details, quotes)

FRANKFURT, Oct 9 - Germany will be without captain
Michael Ballack again on Wednesday when they play China in a
friendly international in Hamburg.

Ballack missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Turkey in Istanbul
after coming down with flu and his recovery has been slower than
expected.

Coach Juergen Klinsmann has further injury worries after
midfielder Bernd Schneider and defenders Marcell Jansen and
Lukas Sinkiewicz all missed training in Istanbul on Sunday.

Klinsmann said he would accept criticism after the side's
latest away defeat but he believes the experience will be
character building for his young squad with next year's World
Cup in mind.

"The criticism that's coming is absolutely in order," the
coach said.

"But we've always said that the process of building for the
World Cup will bring highs and lows. Young players need the
setbacks as well in order to grow."

Striker Miroslav Klose, fit again after his bout of flu, is
due to meet up with the squad when they fly back into Hamburg
late on Sunday.

As hosts, Germany qualify automatically for the World Cup.
That means they have only a diet of friendlies to prepare for
the tournament.

"We've seen that we have a great deal of work still to do,"
Klinsmann added.

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