Soccer:Italy will not be able to call on the services of ex Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi in this summer's European Championships after the 25-year-old Villarreal player was ruled out for six months after rupturing a cruciate knee ligament.
Rossi is set to undergo surgery for a second time this season after suffering a similar injury back in October. He was on his return to fitness when he suffered the latest setback last Friday.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be hoping that AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano can make a successful return from a stoke an subsequent heart problems before the end of the Serie A season, while he has not ruled out including Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli.
On Monday, Prandelli suggested that he will “calmly evaluate” Balotelli’s case for inclusion in his squad, although Rossi’s injury could change that stance.
Prandelli dropped the 21 year-old striker for the Azzurri’s last friendly against the USA in February after the player was handed a ban for stamping on Scott Parker a few weeks previously.
