Michael Ballack is set to return to action for Chelsea against Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday. The Germany captain has given Chelsea a major boost after returning to training and is due to test his fitness further in a closed-door friendly with Queens Park Rangers this afternoon.

Ballack had to return to London a few days into the club’s pre-season tour to America last month because of a fractured toe. The midfielder missed Chelsea’s last four friendly games but has made a swift recovery from the injury.

He missed out on the friendly with Reading at the weekend but joined in with the rest of the squad’s training session as normal yesterday.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Ballack is on course to start the Premier League campaign against Hull on August 15th, but could also face United on Sunday.

“For the next match against United he will be ready,” said Ancelotti.

Ancelotti has already identified his starting line-up for the traditional Premier League curtain-raiser against Alex Ferguson’s side.

Chelsea have gone five games unbeaten in pre-season so far and Ancelotti added: “I have more or less the team that will play in my mind.

“We have this week before the game and I want to control the physical condition of all my players. We have to improve a little over the next week but I’m happy with the condition of the team.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to end their interest in Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery.

The French international, who is set to miss the start of the Bundesliga season on Saturday due to a minor knee injury, has been valued at €100million by the German club and Chelsea are reluctant to meet their demands.

Striker Franco di Santo, 20, joined Blackburn on loan until January yesterday in order to provide him with valuable first-team experience before returning to Stamford Bridge ahead of the African Nations’ Cup.

Chelsea will lose Ivory Coast strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou for around six weeks and Di Santo will be required to compensate for their absence.