Michael Ballack made his long-awaited return to action after injury in midweek, and has been discussing how it felt to be involved against Liverpool as well as previewing tomorrow's opponents Blackburn Rovers.

The midfielder sustained an ankle injury at Newcastle back in April that he has admitted made him contemplate whether he would play again, but he made a welcome return to action at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as we knocked the Merseysiders out of the Carling Cup.

'I think it was a great moment for me. It was exciting and emotional, a new feeling, after a long time out,' Ballack said after his cameo appearance.

'To get this support from the fans, I have to say thank you to everyone who supported me, the doctors, the physios, the players. That's a big motivation for me to help Chelsea in the next weeks and months.'

He also managed to lay on a goal, the second for Andriy Shevchenko, as we booked our place in the semi-final.

'It's always good if you are involved in a goal, especially in the first game back, it was a good moment for me to come in,' he smiled.

Now, the Germany captain hopes to be involved as we travel to Lancashire in the hunt for some festive cheer following last week's defeat at Arsenal, but knows it will be a tough test despite our opponents' indifferent form.

'I played up there last year and we won,' he recalled. 'They are a good side, they play good football, it's not easy against them, very difficult.'

Rovers bring good memories for Ballack, as it was against them at Old Trafford that he booked our place in the FA Cup final last season, shortly before sustaining his ankle injury.

'That was almost my last game, a great moment,' he said, pondering his 109th minute extra time winner.

Both sides have undergone changes since the spring though, and the former Bayern Munich man is looking forward to catching up with ex-colleague Roque Santa Cruz at Ewood Park.

The Paraguayan forward has been in a fine vein of form lately, grabbing a hat-trick in last week's 5-3 defeat at Wigan, and Ballack believes it was a smart choice for him to come to England.

'He was always a big talent at Munich, he came early at 17,' Ballack said. 'He wasn't always in the first team, close to it, but everybody waited for this big flourish, but he was sometimes injured, so it was difficult for him.

'He stayed there a long time, but I think it was a good move for him. He has scored goals and done well.'

Another familiar figure for Ballack will be Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, who spent a short period at Munich himself during Ballack's childhood.

'I remember him, everybody knows him there,' Ballack said. 'He did well, and I think he enjoyed playing in Munich.

'Not many welsh people have played in the Bundesliga so that's why he was famous, and at such a big club.'

While he may like to exchange stories with his fellow former Bayern men, it can be guaranteed the only thing on Michael Ballack's mind before tomorrow's game will be helping Chelsea pick up three vital points, and working his way back to full match fitness.

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