Italy lose Chiellini to thigh strain

Italy will be without injured centre-back Giorgio Chiellini when they face England in the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-finals on Sunday in Kyiv.

The defender was forced off during the second half of the 2-0 win against Republic of Ireland on Monday – which secured the Azzurri's last-eight place – having suffered a left thigh injury. "The scan he underwent confirmed it's a strain," said Italy doctor Enrico Castellacci. "He will certainly miss the game on Sunday. Obviously in a competition like this you have to try everything to have him back as quickly as possible but we will not take any unnecessary risks with his muscles."

Capped 53 times by Italy, the 27-year-old Chiellini was a doubt for the tournament after suffering a similar injury on 13 May in a Serie A game against Atalanta BC. "It's nothing related to the injury he suffered just ahead of the finals," Castellacci continued. "It's a pity because he had recovered so well from that one but he is very motivated and has already started rehab. Let's see what happens." Chiellini was replaced by his Juventus team-mate Leonardo Bonucci against Ireland.