Del Piero ruled out of Belarus qualifier

Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero is out of today's World Cup qualifier against Belarus after picking up a thigh strain. The Juventus forward suffered the injury during training in Glasgow and was to return to Italy yesterday evening. "I'm injured and...

Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero is out of today's World Cup qualifier against Belarus after picking up a thigh strain.

The Juventus forward suffered the injury during training in Glasgow and was to return to Italy yesterday evening.

"I'm injured and I am going home," Del Piero told the Italian news agency ANSA.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is unlikely to call up a replacement given that he has plenty of options in attack.

Del Piero did not feature in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Scotland but media reports had suggested he could have expected to play in today's match in Minsk.

On Saturday, Lippi started with Christian Vieri and Vincenzo Iaquinta in attack with Francesco Totti operating just behind them.

The Italy coach also has Fiorentina forward Luca Toni and Milan striker Alberto Gilardino in his squad.

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