Time to experiment for Azzurri

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni is set to give debuts to four players against Turkey on Wednesday night but AC Chievo Verona's Eugenio Corini will not be one of them.

Muscle strain
The 32-year-old defender had been selected in the squad for the friendly in Pescara, but has had to withdraw with a muscle strain. The former Juventus FC man has been in inspired form for Chievo over the past three seasons.

Pirlo in again
Trapattoni is unlikely to call up a replacement for Corini, and will probably play AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo alongside debutant Simone Perrotta, Corini's Chievo team-mate, in central midfield. The three others likely to make their debuts are Alessandro Birindelli, Antonio Di Natale and Carlo Nervo.

England together
The week's international friendlies seem to be offering plenty of opportunities to young talent across Europe. England are one of the only sides not in action but manager Sven-Göran Eriksson is staging a squad get-together this week and has caused a surprise by giving a chance to an unlikely name.

Dawson surprise
Teenaged Nottingham Forest FC defender Michael Dawson was invited to train with the likes of Michael Owen and Paul Scholes after injury to Tottenham Hotspur FC's Ledley King. The 19-year-old Dawson, an Under-21 international, has been in impressive form for first division Forest, helping them to fourth in the table with just 15 goals conceded in 18 games.

Key men out
Israel are in action this week, but will be without another familiar face from their already depleted squad. Manchester City FC midfield player Eyal Berkovic has withdrawn from the team to face F.Y.R. Macedonia in Skopje. Poland coach Zbigniew Boniek has also lost an experienced player after defender Tomasz Hajto pulled out of the match against Denmark with a heavy cold.