Ballack has Chelsea to thank for finding his world-class form again, says Germany boss Low

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His form is remarkable given he spent eight months out with an ankle problem and the six appearances he has made since returning last month have helped the team through a difficult period with injuries and absences.

Manager Avram Grant even gave him the captaincy after John Terry and Frank Lampard were sidelined, but the England midfielder is set to reclaim it next week at Birmingham after making a rapid return from a thigh injury.

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Low said: " Ballack has improved a lot and his performances are better than just before the last World Cup.

"He has this incredible determination to impose himself. He learned that at Chelsea, to involve himself in the battle and to play at such a high tempo."

Ballack's comeback and form has coincided with the absence of Lampard through injury but he will have to adjust to sharing the midfield limelight with the Englishman from next week if his recovery continues on schedule.

When Lampard tore a muscle on Boxing Day there were fears that he could be out for five or six weeks after complications on a similar injury had led to a lengthy lay-off.

But he is already back running and looking to step up his rehabilitation. His father, Frank Lampard senior, thinks he may have been ready to play in the next game against Tottenham if it had not been brought forward two days to Saturday. When Ballack and Lampard are both fit they will be under pressure to develop a better partnership than they managed last season. There are doubts they can fulfil their potential together in the same side but the former West Ham player rejected them.

He said: "I don't agree with it, but once it gets inside people's heads they make that the issue. I watched Ballack closely in the World Cup after we had just signed him and he played deep for them [Germany]. His instinct is to play deep and arrive late on crosses. When I come back we can play together."

Likely to return before Lampard is goalkeeper Petr Cech, who was back training with the team again today and hoping to play against Spurs.

Cech was injured at Blackburn before Christmas and admitted today that risking the hip problem three days later in the Boxing Day game against Aston Villa backfired.

Chelsea conceded four times in the draw and Cech has been out since. He said: "We took a bit of a risk and I tried to play this game. Unfortunately at the end the injury was worse and they didn't allow me to play again.

"Recently I have been training hard, returning to fitness and the injury reacted very well."