Buffon missing for Italy

14 June 2014 18:47

England were handed a massive boost ahead of their World Cup match against Italy after Gianluigi Buffon was ruled out with an ankle injury.

Buffon twisted his ankle during a training session at the Arena Amazonia on Friday.

And the Italian Football Federation confirmed the experienced goalkeeper would miss the match on Saturday.

"#Italy goalkeeper and captain #Buffon has been officially ruled out of #ENGITA due to an ankle injury," the Federation posted on its official Twitter feed.

Paris St Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu is expected to start the Group D clash against England in goal.

Sirigu was voted Ligue 1 goalkeeper of the year after a series of impressive displays for PSG.

But Buffon's hegemony over the Italy number one jersey means Sirigu has very limited international experience.

Sirigu has played eight times for Italy, but only one of those came in a competitive game - and that was four years ago, when his error allowed Estonia to score in a 2-1 win for the Azzurri.

Still, Buffon hopes Sirigu will be up to the task ahead of him in Manaus. The 140-cap goalkeeper tweeted: "Life is beautiful and I am still in debt to it. Missing one game or missing another World Cup isn't going to change that. "There are a lot of ways to be important even if you aren't on the field. So, come on Salvatore! Come on magic lads."

Source: PA