BERLIN, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Germany captain Michael Ballack will miss next month's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Turkey and Kazakhstan because of a fractured his left knee cap.

The 33-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder limped out of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hanover after just 30 minutes following a heavy tackle and underwent an MRI scan on Sunday morning which revealed the damage.

Ballack, who missed the World Cup after damaging ligaments in his right ankle, just returned to action for early this season and played only his third league game.