Ballack already has a yellow card and one more against the in-form South Americans would see Germany's captain ruled out for the next game.

Ecuador and the hosts have already made certain of places in the last 16 but Germany need a win to top the group. Second place would leave them facing the Group B winners and as that is likely to be England the hosts are willing to gamble.

"Ballack will play whatever the circumstances," Germany's assistant coach Joachim Loew confirmed in a news conference. "We'll just have a word with him and tell him to avoid making unnecessary fouls."

Ballack's importance was evident when he returned against Poland after missing the opening 4-2 win over Costa Rica.

With the captain back running the midfield, Germany played a much more disciplined game and clinched a 1-0 win with a goal from Oliver Neuville in stoppage time.

Germany have played much better than England, who just need to draw with Sweden to clinch first place in Group B, but they would still rather avoid their old rivals at this early stage.

"England haven't been convincing but they would raise their game for a one-off match," Loew warned.

GERMAN OPTIONS

Germany may make a couple of changes as they seek the win they need. Christoph Metzelder is recovering from a knee injury and may have to be replaced by Robert Huth.

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski, disappointing against Poland, could lose out to Tim Borowski and Neuville.

Germany know they will have to play very well to beat Ecuador, who qualified behind only Brazil [Images] and Argentina and looked good in beating Poland 2-0 and Costa Rica 3-0.

"They are very disciplined, but also extremely dangerous," Loew said.

Ecuador's hopes of maintaining a perfect start could be hit by an ankle injury to striker Carlos Tenorio. Ivan Kaviedes, who scored the third goal against Cost Rica, looks set to come in.

Coach Luis Fernando Suarez, who may rest players on yellow cards, was clear where the main German danger would come from.

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"Germany have some good players, but Ballack is the great talent," he told reporters. "We have beaten Brazil and Argentina. Let's see if we have the same luck against Germany."

Captain Ivan Hurtado, fellow defender Ulises de la Cruz, goalkeeper Cristian Mora and midfielders Edison Mendez and Castillo Segundo are the players on one booking.

Possible teams:

Ecuador (4-4-2): 12-Cristian Mora; 4-Ulises de la Cruz, 3-Ivan Hurtado, 17-Giovanny Espinoza, 18-Neicer Reasco; 8-Edison Mendez, 20-Edwin Tenorio, 14-Segundo Castillo, 16-Luis Antonio Valencia; 11-Agustin Delgado, 10-Ivan Kaviedes

Germany (4-4-2): 1-Jens Lehmann; 3-Arne Friedrich, 21-Christoph Metzelder, 17-Per Mertesacker, 16-Philipp Lahm; 19-Bernd Schneider, 8-Torsten Frings, 13-Michael Ballack, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger; 20-Lukas Podolski, 11-Miroslav Klose [Images]

Referee: Valentin Ivanov (Russia [Images])

(Additional reporting by Phil Blenkinsop)