Chelsea get Sidwell for free as Ballack fights for his Stamford Bridge career

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Mourinho demanded the £130,000-a-week midfield man's dismissal after he flew to Munich on April 27, but Ballack is determined to prove his innocence and has a full diagnosis from Dr Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt, who performed the procedure.

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Highly-rated: Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell

The competition for midfield places will hot up, with Chelsea responding to losing the title to Manchester United - who they host tomorrow - with the free transfer of Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell from under the noses of Newcastle.

The £50,000-a-week deal was being celebrated by former Arsenal reserve Sidwell last night and is his reward for an outstanding debut season in the top flight.

With Michael Essien and Mikel Jon Obi heading for the African Nations Cup next season, Mourinho needs midfield cover.

Ballack is keen to win over Mourinho

Ballack, the Germany World Cup captain, flew to Munich on April 27 for an unauthorised ankle operation.

But he has done little to justify his exorbitant salary and suffered his injury in a collision with Newcastle defender Titus Bramble during a 0-0 draw at St James' Park on April 18.

He was replaced by Mikel after just 18 minutes, but claims he was told by Chelsea's medical department that the injury was not serious.

The complaint ruled him out of contention for the Champions League semifinal against Liverpool three days later, but he was reassured he could face Bolton on April 28.

Instead, Ballack felt his ankle was deteriorating and he flew to Munich for a second opinion at the renowned clinic of Dr Hans Muller Wohlfahrt the day before the Bolton game.

An X-ray detected a piece of chipped bone that was impinging on a nerve and Wohlfahrt advised Ballack to have the operation to stop further complications so that he would be able to play again this season.

Mourinho has yet to accept Ballack's explanation and Chelsea's players still expect him to be forced out in the summer, along with £31million striker Andriy Shevchenko.