Alessandro Del Piero may miss Italy’s first World Cup qualifier on Saturday against Cyprus due to injury. The striker injured his abductor muscle during yesterdays training session and is a doubt for the showdown in Larnaca. Scans at a hospital in Florence showed noserious damage and he passed a late fitness test this morning, boarding the plane to join his team mates on the small island country.

The passed medical is a good sign for Azzurri fans keen to have Del Piero in the squad, but Lippi may decide to keep the Juve player onthe bench as a precautionary measure.

The veteran striker may returnto the starting lineup for Italy’s second Group Eight qualifieragainst Georgia in Udine on Wednesday.

Peter Pedroncelli - footballitaliano.org