Monaco striker Christian Vieri and Sampdoria defender Aimo Diana have been ruled out of Italy's World Cup squad due to injuries, Italy coach Marcello Lippi said on Tuesday.
Vieri is to have surgery on his left knee after suffering an injury during a game against Paris St German in March while Diana has been sidelined with a groin injury.
Lippi will announce his final squad of 23 players on May 15, a week before the squad begins its pre-World Cup training camp.
"I have very clear ideas about my squad and a few injuries have contributed to clarifying the position," Lippi told the Italian news agency ANSA today.
"Vieri
has an operation on his knee and won't be available while Diana has a serious groin injury that won't be right in time and so he won't be able to be called up."
Vieri's absence was expected and allows Lippi an extra place for a striker. Livorno's Cristiano Lucarelli and Udinese's Vincenzo Iaquinta are two forwards in contention as cover for first-choice target man Luca Toni.
Diana, who can also operate on the right side of midfield, could be replaced by Lazio's Massimo Oddo. The finals in Germany start on June 9.