Italy star Balotelli ruled out of England clash with conjunctivitis
Posted Tuesday, August 14, 2012 by Dailymail
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.
Balotelli missed City's 3-2 Community Shield win over Chelsea on Sunday with the same problem and he is now a major doubt for the club's visit to Southampton this weekend.
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.
'I want to give him a key role in the long term and I expect him to accept responsibility when I do.'
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