Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli injures knee in training with Italian national team

Mario Balotelli – Italy (Getty Images)

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Mario Balotelli has been ruled out of Italy‘s Euro 2012 qualifier against Estonia on Friday after suffering an injury to his right knee in training.

The Manchester City striker limped off from a training match with the Azzurri’s Under-18 side.

And team doctor Enrico Castellacci has confirmed the injury is likely to keep him out of action.

“Balotelli suffered a relapse of the pain in the right knee that had already troubled him in the past,” Castellacci told the press.

“It was a small sprain of the right knee. It’ll be difficult to get him back by Friday, so he’s unlikely to recover in time to face Estonia.”

It’s problem which may be serious enough to warrant an early exit from the Nazionale’s Coverciano camp, meaning the 20-year-old would miss the subsequent friendly against the Republic of Ireland next week.

“Between today and tomorrow we will evaluate whether to keep him in the squad or send him home,” added Castellacci.