Marchisio to miss Italy qualifiers

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has been sent home from Italy’s training camp due to a thigh strain, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said yesterday.

The 24-year-old underwent tests at Italy’s Coverciano base just outside Florence, after which it was decided he should return to his club to get treatment there.

“An initial prognosis suggests he’ll be out for 10 days hence Marchisio will miss the trip to Estonia and the match against the Faroe Islands,” said a FIGC statement.

Coach Cesare Prandelli called up uncapped Luca Cigarini to replace Marchisio.

Cigarini is on loan at Sevilla from Napoli and although he has never played for the national team, he did play for the World Cup team in Athens two years ago.

Already Italy have been hit by an injury to Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano, who has yet to join up with his team-mates after staying behind in Genoa to undergo tests.

“The player’s back seized up and he was unable to move today (Monday). Tomorrow he will be at Coverciano, we’ll take a look at him and evaluate the tests conducted in Genoa,” said team doctor Enrico Castellacci.

Italy play Estonia in Tallinn on Friday and host the Faroes in Florence the following Tuesday.