Italy striker Christian Vieri will not play at next month's World Cup after injuring his left knee in French league action, national coach Marcello Lippi confirmed on Wednesday.

Lippi added the former Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan forward had already had an operation which effectively meant he would not feature in the June 9 to July 9 football showpiece.

Vieri, who played for Italy at the 2002 World Cup, joined Monaco from AC Milan in January in a bid to find regular first team action and boost his chances of a World Cup spot.

But that dream is now over after clashing with PSG's Bernard Mendy in the 1-1 draw in the Principality on March 26.

"I now have a very clear idea of my list of 23 players for the World Cup because Vieri has already had an operation and is not available," Lippi said in Milan on Wednesday.

The door is now open for another veteran, in-form AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi to stake his claim having largely been ignored by Lippi this season.

The Italian squad will be announced on Monday, which is also FIFA's deadline for World Cup squads.

Italy faces Ghana, the United States and the Czech Republic in Group E, in the first round actions in Germany next month.

Source: Xinhua