Italy's Zambrotta injured

Italian defender Gianluca Zambrotta poses for the official picture at the National Technical Center of Coverciano in Florence, on May 25. Zambrotta injured his right thigh during a training match at the national team's training base at Coverciano.

Italy left back Gianluca Zambrotta injured his right thigh during a training match at the national team's training base at Coverciano, team doctors said.

Zambrotta received the knock against amateur side San Geminiano and immediately left the pitch for treatment. Further tests will be made to find the exact nature of the injury.

Zambrotta said: "I hope it's not too serious. I felt a lot of pain in the muscle when I straightened the leg and I hope it's an isolated problem which has nothing to do with fatigue or my physical condition.

"I will stay here for treatment because I really want to take part in the World Cup."

For the moment there is no reason to believe Zambrotta will miss Italy's first match in the June 9 to July 9 finals in Germany against Ghana on June 12.

Italy's other Group E matches are against USA and the Czech Republic.