Ambrosini misses Italy games

Massimo Ambrosini will miss Italy's opening Euro 2008 qualifying games.

Massimo Ambrosini will miss Italy's opening Euro 2008 qualifying games against Lithuania and France.

The Milan midfielder has been struggling with a muscular problem he picked up in training earlier in the week.

Ambrosini had quickly been ruled out of Saturday's game at home to Lithuania, but coach Roberto Donadoni hoped the player could be fit to face France.

But Azzurri team doctors feel Ambrosini will be better advised to rest the injury and he will sit out the World Cup final rematch next Wednesday.

He has now returned home to continue his rehabilitation, but he is not expected to be sidelined for long.

Donadoni has opted not to bring in extra reinforcements, having already drafted in Sampdoria duo Gennaro Del Vecchio and Angelo Palombo on Friday.