De Rossi presents new injury worry for Italy

Irene: Italy has another key injury concern just three days before its World Cup opener.

Daniele De Rossi sat out a training match against the Gauteng All Stars on Friday with a right calf problem, although team physician Enrico Castellacci said the midfielder has a chance of recuperating in time for Monday's game against Paraguay.

Another midfielder, Andrea Pirlo, could miss the entire group phase with a left calf injury.

De Rossi and Pirlo were the only members of Italy's team who did not play against Gauteng. Two other midfielders who had minor injuries, Claudio Marchisio and Mauro Camoranesi, both performed without any problems — Marchisio as a starter and Camoranesi as a second-half substitute.