After Luca Toni and Gennaro Gattuso, there are fears Andrea Pirlo will also be ruled out of Wednesday’s must-win match with Ukraine.
The Milan midfield maestro suffered a knock to his calf muscle during the 0-0 draw with France and was spotted hobbling around the training ground this morning.
More tests will be made later today and it is possible Pirlo will be sent home or at least advised to sit on the bench in Kiev next Wednesday.
It is a bitter blow for Coach Roberto Donadoni, who already has to plan this encounter without Marco Materazzi, Toni and the suspended Gattuso.
Bayern Munich hitman Toni had hoped to be fit for the Euro 2008 qualifier, but tests showed his muscular problem was still not eradicated, so he was sent home last night.