Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack admits he's "bitter" after being ruled out of the World Cup.

Ballack described it as a "bitter" blow to be ruled out of the World Cup after tearing two ankle ligaments during the FA Cup Final victory over Portsmouth.

An MRI scan this morning - delayed 12 hours because the ankle was so badly swollen - revealed that Ballack will not be able to train for at least two months, ending his hopes of playing in the finals, which kick off on 11 June.

"There's naturally a lot of disappointment," said Ballack on crutches and with his ankle in plaster. "It's bitter to get a diagnosis like that two or three weeks before the World Cup. But that's football. That happens. Life goes on."