Italy hit by Marchisio injury blow

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio will miss Italy’s World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus through injury.

Marchisio left the national team headquarters in Coverciano yesterday evening having failed to recover from a left knee injury.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi had hoped to have the Juve midfielder available but Marchisio’s injury is more serious than first thought.

“There has been no improvement,” said Italy’s team doctor Enrico Castellacci. “It is useless to keep him with us as he will not recover for the game against Ireland or for the match against Cyprus on Wednesday.

“The Juventus doctors will have to decide what the best treatment is for him in order to recover.”

Marchisio sustained the injury during Juve’s 2-0 defeat at Palermo on Sunday.

The world champions take on Ireland in Dublin on Saturday before hosting Cyprus in Parma four days later.