Source: Team_Talk
Balotelli suffers back injury
Mario Balotelli has returned to Manchester City after a back injury ruled the striker out of Italy's forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers.[LNB] The 21-year-old missed Wednesday morning's training session after suffering the problem on Tuesday and left team's training camp in Coverciano to undergo further tests in a nearby hospital.[LNB]Italy's team doctor Enrico Castellacci later revealed that Balotelli's injury had ruled him out of both Friday's game in Serbia and Tuesday's clash with Northern Ireland.[LNB]"Balotelli had problems during practice yesterday," Castellacci told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.[LNB]"We have decided, having spoken to Manchester City, to send him home."[LNB]Balotelli's injury is a further setback for the Italians, who are already without Inter Milan forward Giampaolo Pazzini (foot) and are sweating on the fitness of Villarreal frontman Giuseppe Rossi (knee).[LNB]Regarding the condition of Pazzini and Rossi, Castellacci added: "Pazzini was better and little by little he will recover. However, he will continue his recovery in Milan.[LNB]"As for Rossi, he has already began therapy on his knee and was better this morning.[LNB]"He will pass a late fitness test this afternoon and could be available for the trip to Belgrade."[LNB]AC Milan's Antonio Cassano and Parma's Sebastian Giovinco are currently Italy's only fit strikers for Friday's game in Belgrade, and coach Cesare Prandelli may call up a replacement.[LNB]Italy have already secured their place at Euro 2012 and remain unbeaten in qualifying.
