Ballack dreams of final redemption

Injury had left him in the shadows as his Chelsea and Germany team-mates tasted success at the new Wembley in the FA Cup Final and then against England.

His eight month lay-off after double ankle surgery also made him think about quitting, but now he is making up for lost time.

Since making his comeback last month Ballack has been a key figure, leading Chelsea on a nine-game run which has included eight wins.

He has been a driving force in the absence of so many other big players through injuries and absence and his form has been such that, with John Terry and Frank Lampard out, manager Avram Grant has made him captain.

Tonight he could repay the Israeli's faith by giving him his first shot at silverware in this country.

Chelsea go to Everton with a 2-1 first-leg lead in their Carling Cup semi-final and Ballack is determined to finish the job and secure the first of many appointments at Wembley.

The 31-year-old said: "For every player there is a great motivation to play in finals at that stadium.

"It was frustrating missing the FA Cup Final win there in May and when Germany played England [in a friendly in August] because I was injured.

"But I still have a little bit of time and I hope we can get through. I don't want to just play one, I would like to play in two or three more finals at Wembley."

Serious injury was a new and difficult experience for Ballack and his complete recovery has given him a new lease of life.

Ballack said: "I feel good but there is still more to come from me and I am really motivated because it is difficult when you are injured for such a long time."

The effects have been noted. Chelsea's fans have finally begun to take to the German and his team-mates have seen the difference too.

Ashley Cole said: "He is a big player and has been in the game for a long time to know how to deal with the pressure he had. Now we are seeing the best of Ballack. He has come back from a bad injury and is fresh and raring to go."

The timing of Ballack's resurgence could not have been better with Lampard set to be sidelined for another fortnight out due to his thigh problem.

Everton's failure to win a trophy since 1995 means that their players will be pumped up tonight - but Ballack is just as eager to make his mark at Goodison Park tonight.

He said: "It is very important to get to Wembley. When you are in the semis and you have the chance to get to the final you have to take it.

"I played in the last game at the old Wembley and have fond memories of the stadium. I think every player has but especially Germans because we won that game and it is a little bit of history.

"Wembley is an important stadium because football came from England and Wembley is a key part of the story here.

"That game was a big day for us and now it is a new stadium that everybody wants to play at.

"I have missed out on showpiece games before. It happened to me at the World Cup when I did my job in all the games beforehand and missed the final [through suspension], which was difficult.

"You don't get that many chances to play in FA Cup finals and World Cup finals but you have to accept that and keep going. Tonight is a big chance for us."

Ballack played in last season's Carling Cup victory against Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium and wants to deliver the club's third success in the competition in the last four years.

He said: "I am happy being captain and if I could guide the team to the final that would be great, but that is not the main thing. The most important thing is that we have success.

"It will be another very difficult game against Everton. For them it is maybe their only chance to get to a final this season and I think they will give everything to get there, but so will we.

"We are the holders and that is also a big motivation. It is not easy to keep winning the trophy and it would be significant for us if we could do it again."

One of the biggest obstacles for Chelsea will be the number of players they have missing. Grant will be without seven first-choice players, although Shaun Wright-Phillips's ankle injury is not as bad as first feared and he should play.

If they can get past Everton only Andriy Shevchenko will be a doubt for the final and a full strength Chelsea, like a full strength Ballack, would be a formidable prospect.