Striker Alessandro Del Piero is out of Italy's World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Wednesday after suffering a thigh strain.

The Juventus forward suffered the injury during training in Glasgow and will return to Italy later on Tuesday.

"I'm injured and I am going home," Del Piero told the Italian news agency ANSA.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi is unlikely to call up a replacement given that he has plenty of options in attack.

Del Piero did not feature in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Scotland but media reports had suggested he could have expected to play in Wednesday's match in Minsk.

After seven matches, Italy lead Group Five by two points from second-placed Norway.

Source: Xinhua