Manuel Locatelli has been diagnosed with a fractured rib and withdrew from the Italy squad, but is also a major doubt to play for Juventus against Inter.
The Nazionale are preparing for the two crucial EURO 2024 qualifiers against North Macedonia on Friday in Rome, then on neutral turf in Leverkusen with Ukraine next Monday.
The midfielder formally pulled out of the group at the Coverciano training ground and was sent home to Turin by coach Luciano Spalletti.
“In what was a very positive period, I have to accept this injury,” wrote Locatelli on his Instagram Stories.
“Being forced to miss these decisive matches hurts even more. I will try to return as soon as possible.”
The tests in the Italy camp showed a slight fracture to the 10th rib.
Sky Sport Italia and Sport Mediaset report that while this is not a dangerous injury, it is an extremely painful one, making it difficult to make a full recovery quickly.
He could be forced to play with the aid of pain-killing injections.
This means Locatelli is in doubt for the November 26 Serie A showdown between Juventus and Inter at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Juve are already short-staffed in midfield, as Nicolò Fagioli and Paul Pogba are suspended due to off the field issues.