Montella: Italy striker Vincenzo Montella has been ruled out of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland with a sprained ankle, the Italian Football Federation announced yesterday. The Roma player, who is Serie A's top scorer this season with 19 goals, suffered the injury during Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Milan.

Nakata: Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata will mark his international return by leading out the side in tomorrow's World Cup qualifier in Iran, Japan coach Zico said on Wednesday. The Italian-based playmaker has not played for Japan since a 2-1 victory over Singapore in the first round of Asian 2006 World Cup qualifiers a year ago due to groin and back injuries. "He doesn't have to be Japan's saviour," said Zico.

Dellas: Greece coach Otto Rehhagel has omitted injured defender Traianos Dellas from his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Saturday. Greece play Georgia in Tbilisi on March 26 and host Albania in Piraeus four days later. "Unfortunately Dellas who is a very important player for us is out because of a back injury but we must live with that," Rehhagel said.

Arango: Real Mallorca forward Juan Arango was discharged from hospital yesterday three days after being knocked unconscious following a collision with Sevilla defender Javi Navarro. The 24-year-old Venezuela international suffered a broken right cheekbone as a result of the clash which took place when the two players went for a 50-50 ball during Mallorca's 1-0 defeat at home to Sevilla on Sunday.

Argentina: Argentina forwards Pablo Aimar and Cesar Delgado have been ruled out of the World Cup qualifiers in Bolivia on Saturday and at home to Colombia the following Wednesday. Both Delgado and Aimar have a thigh strain.