Cannavaro injured in Austria training session

2 June 2008 20:00

Italy´s defender Fabio Cannavaro, seen here on May 30, 2008, had to be stretchered off the field after injuring his ankle during a training session in Austria as Italy prepares for the Euro 2008.

VIENNA (AFP) - Italy suffered a shock on their first day of training for Euro 2008 in Austria on Monday when captain Fabio Cannavaro had to be stretchered off the field after injuring his ankle.

Italy are in Austria preparing for the tournament that begins on June 7.

Cannavaro had spent 20 minutes lying on the turf being seen to by Italy's medical staff before he was taken to a hospital in Moedling, about 15km from Vienna and close to Italy's training base at Maria Enzersdorf.

The Real Madrid star was injured during a collision with Juventus centre-back Girogio Chiellini, just hours after Italy's arrival in the country.

"It remains to be seen exactly what it is but it's not something common," said Italy doctor Paolo Zeppilli.

"We'll need at least 12 hours to evaluate the seriousness of his injury.

"It seems to be quite serious. Sometimes it can happen that there is a lot of pain but then the situation is not so bad.

"What we need to know is whether or not he's suffered a dislocated ankle."

Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport claimed on its website that Cannavaro had sprained his ankle.