Italy's Rossi ruled out of EURO after relapse

Italy will be without Giuseppe Rossi for their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign after the Villarreal CF striker sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in training.

Rossi's involvement in Poland and Ukraine always looked in doubt from the moment he suffered the exact same injury last October, but today's setback rules him out for certain. The 25-year-old was close to returning to first-team action with Spanish Liga strugglers Villarreal until tearing the cruciate ligament during training. The former Manchester United FC forward requires further surgery and is expected to be sidelined for at least another six months.

The news will come as a blow to Italy coach Cesare Prandelli, who must make do without a player who featured in seven EURO qualifiers, scoring once. The Azzurri begin their Group C campaign against Spain in Gdansk on 10 June, before taking on Croatia four days later and the Republic of Ireland on 18 June.