Italy: Verratti out of Nations League games with calf injury

Rome: Italy will be without Marco Verratti for their upcoming Nations League matches after the Paris St Germain midfielder had to be substituted due to a calf injury.

Verratti was forced to leave the field in the 64th minute of their 1-0 Ligue 1 win at Olympique Lyonnais and PSG head coach Christophe Galtier said.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini told reporters that the 29-year-old would not be available when they host England in Milan before travelling to Budapest to meet Hungary three days later.

“Verratti won’t make it,” Mancini said. “He took a knock on his calf and can’t even walk at the moment. We’re probably going to call up Davide Frattesi.”

PSG confirmed that Verratti would return to the French club to receive treatment for “a contusion with deep haematoma” of the left calf.

Italy have five points from four games in League A Group 3 and are third behind Germany and leaders Hungary.