BERLIN, June 18 -- Germany defender Christoph Metzelder should be fit to play in Tuesday's World Cup game against Ecuador despite missing training on Sunday.

Metzelder turned his right knee in training on Saturday and was unable to continue. He had treatment at the team hotel and went for a scan that revealed no serious damage.

"There will be no problem for Tuesday," assistant coach Joachim Loew said at a news conference on Sunday.

Metzelder played in Germany's two opening games. His partnership with Per Mertesacker in the centre of defence looked a lot more secure in the second match, a 1-0 win over Poland, than in the opening-day 4-2 victory against Costa Rica.

Germany need to beat Ecuador at the Olympiastadion to finish top of Group A, thus avoiding the first-placed team in Group B in the second round.

That is likely to be England although Sweden could claim top spot with a victory when the two teams meet on Tuesday.

Germany may decide to change their side against Ecuador to give match practice to fringe players.

"It's possible there will be changes," Loew said. "We'll talk it over tonight.

"We don't want to be in the situation where a player has to come in later in the tournament because of injury or suspension and he hasn't had a minute on the field."

Michael Ballack is threatened by suspension after picking up a yellow card in the second match but resting the captain was out of the question, Loew said.

"Michael missed the first game through injury and it's important he keeps his rhythm," Juergen Klinsmann's assistant said.