Cassano pulls out of Italian squad

Roma striker Antonio Cassano has withdrawn from Italy's 22-man squad for a friendly against Russia in Cagliari on Wednesday just hours after being recalled to the side.

The 22-year-old, who earlier played for the full 90 minutes of Roma's 1-1 draw with Bologna, withdrew from the squad with a knee injury a few hours after receiving his first call-up from national coach Marcello Lippi for the match.

The 22-year-old, who has a reputation for being difficult to manage, had failed to add to his previous six caps for the Azzurri since Lippi replaced Giovanni Trapattoni as coach shortly after Euro 2004.

Italy lead Group Five on nine points, two ahead of Norway, while Russia are third in Group Three on seven points, six behind leaders Portugal, in their bids to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Italy Squad: Goalkeepers - Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Udinese).

Defenders - Chiellini (Fiorentina), Cannavaro, Materazzi (both Inter), Nesta, Pancaro (both Milan), Barzagli, Zaccardo (both Palermo), Bonera (Parma).

Midfielders - Esposito (Cagliari), Blasi (Juventus), Gattuso (Milan), Pirlo (Milan), Barone (Palermo), De Rossi (Roma), Diana (Sampdoria). Strikers - Vieri (Inter), Gilardino (Parma), Montella, Totti (both Roma).

¤ Birmingham defender Matthew Upson has withdrawn from England's squad for their friendly against the Netherlands on Wednesday. Upson missed his club's 2-0 loss at Manchester United on Saturday with a hamstring injury and withdrew from Sven-Goran Eriksson's 24-man squad.

Squad: Goalkeepers - Robinson (Tottenham), James (Man. City), Green (Norwich). Defenders - Cole (Arsenal), Bridge (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), King (Tottenham), Carragher (Liverpool), Johnson (Chelsea), G. Neville, Brown (both Man. United). Midfielders - Dyer (Newcastle), Gerrard (Liverpool), Jenas (Newcastle), Beckham (Real Madrid), Hargreaves (B. Munich), Cole (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Wright-Phillips (Man. City). Strikers - Johnson (Crystal Palace), Rooney (Man. United), Owen (Real Madrid), Defoe (Tottenham).