Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has suffered a serious right knee injury during Friday's training session with Italy and is expected to be sidelined for six months.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed that Marchisio underwent tests which have revealed serious damage to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
A statement from the FIGC read: "During (Friday's) warm-up, Marchisio sustained trauma in his right knee.
"An MRI scan was immediately carried out in Florence and it has revealed a subtotal lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament.
"After informing the Juventus medical staff, the player will return to his club."
Marchisio will have to undergo surgery to repair his damaged knee and is expected to be sidelined for at least six months.
His injury is a big blow for Italy and for Juve, who are alive in three competitions this season.
Juve are 14 points clear of Roma at the top of Serie A with 10 games remaining.
The Bianconeri are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Juve take on Ligue 1 high-flyers Monaco next in Europe's elite club competition.
The 29-year-old has scored two goals and set up five more in 27 league appearances for the Serie A leaders.
Italy take on Bulgaria in Sofia in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier before hosting England in an international friendly in Turin three days later.
Source: PA-WIRE
