Chiellini sent back to Juventus due to calf injury

Italy will have to do without uncompromising defender Giorgio Chiellini for Sunday's World Cup qualification trip to Macedonia, after he suffered an injury to his right calf at the national team camp.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed the news on Friday, and the 32-year-old is now set to return to Juventus for further assessment on the issue.

"After Riccardo Montolivo, who was forced to return home after the injury against Spain, Giorgio Chiellini has also left the training camp," said the statement, with translation from Football Italia.

"The Juventus defender underwent tests in the afternoon for a blunt force trauma to his right calf, sustained in training this afternoon. The player will not be available for Macedonia-Italy on Sunday in Skopje and will return to his club tonight."

Chiellini has been a vital component of Italy's defensive organisation and concentration over the years - forging an at-times impenetrable backline with Juve teammates Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, with club and country stalwart Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks - but manager Giampiero Ventura will now have to explore other options in his squad.

The front-runner for the back-three void would appear to be Davide Astori, but AC Milan youngster Alessio Romagnoli has shown himself to be an adept replacement in that role.