Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack hopes to return to training in the coming weeks.

Ballack, 31, has been struggling to regain full fitness after undergoing two operations on his damaged ankle.

But Ballack said: "It's getting better, I keep going with my rehab programme, I can train outside and I am quite happy now with the way we work.

"I work very hard and I hope that I can come back soon," he told Chelsea TV.

Ballack has been running in a sandpit to try to hasten his recovery rate but admits it is tough going.

He added: "It is very hard for the condition but it is good for the foot so it is part of my programme now.

"It is much better; I had to wait a long time to be at this level now, so I am happy. I hope in a few weeks I will be back on the pitch, I can train with the team and also be playing."