Italy forward Mario Balotelli has withdrawn from manager Cesare Prandelli’s squad for tomorrow’s friendly against England due to conjunctivitis, the Italian football federation said yesterday.

A statement on the federation website said the Manchester City forward had been replaced by Udinese’s Diego Fabbrini for the match in Berne.

Balotelli, who scored three goals at Euro 2012 as his side finished runners-up in the tournament, was also absent from City’s Community Shield win over Chelsea on Sunday due to the eye infection.

In the England camp, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain yesterday became the latest member of Roy Hodgson’s squad to pull out of the friendly in Berne.

The winger reported for duty but, after picking up an ankle injury in Arsenal’s friendly with Cologne on Sunday, has immediately been released back to his club.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s departure follows the withdrawals of Joe Hart and Daniel Sturridge.

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has been called into Hodgson’s squad.

The decision to call up Lescott had already been taken before Oxlade-Chamberlain pulled out.

It means Hodgson’s squad has been trimmed to 20, with uncapped duo John Ruddy and Jack Butland the only remaining keepers.

If Butland gets on the pitch it would complete the incredible achievement of earning a senior cap after playing four times for Great Britain during the Olympics while his only senior experience at domestic level remains the 24 games he played in League Two for Cheltenham last season.

The 19-year-old was called into Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2012 following Ruddy’s withdrawal with a broken finger.

Although he did not play, Butland made a big impression on Hodgson.

He was also outstanding during Great Britain’s run to the Olympic quarter-finals. However, it was anticipated Butland would be released back to Birmingham today for their Capital One Cup first-round clash with Barnet at St Andrew’s.

Hart’s back injury changed that and now Butland stands on the brink of his senior bow.