Balotelli leaves Italy's training camp

Published Jun. 1, 2011 10:20 a.m. ET

foxsports

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been sent home from Italy's training camp with a right knee injury.

Balotelli will miss both Friday's European Championship qualifier against Estonia and Tuesday's friendly with Ireland.

Balotelli had to be helped off the pitch after sustaining the injury during a training match against Italy's under-18 side Tuesday.

Without Balotelli, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will likely rely more heavily on Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi. The other forwards on the team include: Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), and Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter Milan).