Balotelli out of England clash

Italy's Mario Balotelli has been ruled out of this week's friendly international against England due to an eye infection.

The Manchester City striker, one of the stars of Italy's run to the final of Euro 2012, has been released by coach Cesare Prandelli after coming down with conjunctivitis.

The 22-year-old has been replaced in the squad for Wednesday's match in Berne by Udinese front man Diego Fabbrini. Prandelli told the Gazzetta dello Sport: "We were hoping (Balotelli) would recover in time, but it wasn't to be."

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