Del Piero out for Italy

Alessandro Del Piero has been forced out of Italy's game against Norway.

The Juventus captain had been struggling with a calf injury but had been passed fit to play in Palermo earlier in the week.

However, after being unable to play a full part in training, Del Piero has now been scratched from Marcello Lippi's team against the Norwegians.

Del Piero could be ready to face Moldova next Wednesday but Lippi is not prepared to gamble on the attacker's fitness this weekend.

"Del Piero won't play in the match," affirmed Lippi.

"Will he be on the bench? We will see. He's fit but during the week he did a bad job."

Saturday's tussle will be Lippi's first competitive match in charge of the Azzurri, following last month's surprising friendly defeat to Iceland.

Norway head in to the fixture after a 2-2 draw with Belgium and Lippi is expecting a tough assignment against the Scandinavians.

"We will play a really important match and we will immediately look for the first points to reach the 2006 World Cup in Germany," added the former Juventus coach.

"It won't be easy because Norway arrive with a useful result and they are a strong team.

"I'd like the players to enter the pitch with a clear sensation; to have done everything possible."