After coming off injured last week at Newcastle, Michael Ballack returned to Germany for surgery to his injured ankle and is unlikely to play again this season. Sky Sports story here

Who knows, Ballacks injury might even work out in our favour, in that Jose won't have to make room for Ballack and Lampard to play alongside each other, as has often seemed to be the case this season.

Ballack just started doing good.

I agree with Lofty, this could work to our advantage.

It is unfortunate timing, since we have such a congestion of fixtures and he is doing a little better, but him out will open up some room for other players, (like attacking players! We can have wingers now..)

A shame, but I would rather have him out than a lot of other players.

I am making this my return post in a sober manner in a brief return to the CSR.

Ballack was the one of the main reasons for my defection from these forums as was the ridicule from certain posters who failed to recognise my rants from the heart and support through the bad old days (which were good in my mind believe it or not) when players were underpaid, not in the same class, but bled blue as much as the hard core.

I said early doors, the introduction of Ballack and Sheva for that matter, would hinder our Premiership chances but increase our chances of landing the jug with the big ears.

At the same time I TT style put my money where my mouth was to lay Chelsea on betfair for a tidy sum to win the title whilst lumping on for a glorious European repeat in Athens.

Some may be surprised to hear me say it's not good news to hear.

My opinions have not changed since Ballacks first appearance in a Chelsea shirt. He'd not get in my Premiership side but in Europe he would.

I'm not talking Anfield for he STILL wouldn't be in my side, because it will not be a European type game where he remains comfortable and effective. But i've got an inkling Milan will oust Manure and he would have been ideal for that encounter.

Michael Essien remains our best midfield player and my prayer for the rest of the campaign would be his prescence alongside Lamps in our central midfield.

He can fill in at right full back but Centre Half do me a 'kin favour. Need I mention the dreaded Xmas period, Spurs in the Cup and Bolton at the weekend.

Boula isn't my favourite player but for gods sake he must be drafted in to replace the outstanding Cava (who needs that lying, cheating gooner c*nt g***** ?)

The positives in our campaign, the emergence of our youngsters, Jon Obi Mikel and the raw Kalou (that's how to adapt to the Premiership) will see us claim the title back next year for sure.

Obviously, it would be great to have a big-game player like Ballack available for the cup ties we are going to be in over the next month, but in terms of cover, we shouldn't have a problem, with Mikel stepping up and Joe Cole available again.

Carvalho, we will miss though. I think that JM has lost faith in Boula (as a lot of us already have), but I would rather see him at centre-back than Essien, who is wasted there.

Obviously, it would be great to have a big-game player like Ballack available for the cup ties we are going to be in over the next month, but in terms of cover, we shouldn't have a problem, with Mikel stepping up and Joe Cole available again.

Carvalho, we will miss though. I think that JM has lost faith in Boula (as a lot of us already have), but I would rather see him at centre-back than Essien, who is wasted there.

I totally agree, Tom.

What we need is Essien (alongside Mikel) winning the ball in midfield and hustling, so that attacks don't develop in the first place and Boula doesn't have to face so many.

I am making this my return post in a sober manner in a brief return to the CSR.

Ballack was the one of the main reasons for my defection from these forums as was the ridicule from certain posters who failed to recognise my rants from the heart and support through the bad old days (which were good in my mind believe it or not) when players were underpaid, not in the same class, but bled blue as much as the hard core.

I said early doors, the introduction of Ballack and Sheva for that matter, would hinder our Premiership chances but increase our chances of landing the jug with the big ears.

At the same time I TT style put my money where my mouth was to lay Chelsea on betfair for a tidy sum to win the title whilst lumping on for a glorious European repeat in Athens.

Some may be surprised to hear me say it's not good news to hear.

My opinions have not changed since Ballacks first appearance in a Chelsea shirt. He'd not get in my Premiership side but in Europe he would.

I'm not talking Anfield for he STILL wouldn't be in my side, because it will not be a European type game where he remains comfortable and effective. But i've got an inkling Milan will oust Manure and he would have been ideal for that encounter.

Michael Essien remains our best midfield player and my prayer for the rest of the campaign would be his prescence alongside Lamps in our central midfield.

He can fill in at right full back but Centre Half do me a 'kin favour. Need I mention the dreaded Xmas period, Spurs in the Cup and Bolton at the weekend.

Boula isn't my favourite player but for gods sake he must be drafted in to replace the outstanding Cava (who needs that lying, cheating gooner c*nt g***** ?)

The positives in our campaign, the emergence of our youngsters, Jon Obi Mikel and the raw Kalou (that's how to adapt to the Premiership) will see us claim the title back next year for sure.

Good to see you back, Star - and you're certainly not alone in your opinions (well, most of 'em, anyway )

yes star, good to see you back...the more old school fans on here the better...i must admit i was thinking of you on saturday (not in that way!) as confirmation of our second place in prem was almost assured...I just hope the second part of your prediction comes true as well!

One quote that just amazed me on this forum that I just had to paste in here:

I think it is time we reviewed our style of play, particularly our midfield. During the summer break last year, when it became obvious Mourinho favoured athletes over artists in midfield, I wondered would this signal the "death of football". When the club with more money to spend than any club in the history of football chooses to spend it on athletes rather than footballers what would this mean for the beautiful game?

And yes, there is a connection to this topic.