Barzagli has Ireland target

Injured Andrea Barzagli is recovering better than expected and could be available to face Republic of Ireland.

Italy hope injured defender will be available for Monday

Injured Andrea Barzagli is recovering better than expected and could be available to face Republic of Ireland on Monday. The Juventus defender has been sidelined since June 1 with a calf injury. Doctors expected Barzagli to miss Italy's Group C games of the European Championship but the 31-year-old is set to recover sooner than planned. "Andrea is doing well and we are satisfied with his condition," Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci said to www.figc.it. "He will not be ready for Thursday's game (against Croatia) but we already knew that. "Our aim is to have him fit in order to be available for selection for the (final Group C) game against Ireland. "We hope we can do that as things are going better than planned."