Italy

The Juventus keeper has been struggling with a nerve problem in his back and was forced to come off at half time in the world champions’ unimpressive 1-1 draw against Paraguay on Monday.

The 32-year-old was confident the injury was only minor and he would be available for the Azzurri’s next Group F game against New Zealand on Saturday (Italy to win 4-0 – 10/1) but now there are suggestions he may miss the rest of the tournament.

A statement later released by the Italy camp read: “It’s impossible to estimate when he might return.”

If Buffon is ruled out, Federico Marchetti, who came on at the break against Paraguay, is expected to stay in goal as Marcelo Lippi’s men look for a better showing against New Zealand.

Italy have been criticised for their lacklustre display on Monday but Lippi was keen to stress the positives and insisted they deserved more than a point in their opening game.

“Italy is right here. We’re here tactically, physically, with our hearts, we’re here full stop,” he said.

“I just regret that we did not get the points we deserved, but sometimes that’s what happens, you get less than you deserve.”

He added: “The important thing is this was not a decisive game. What is important is that people now realise we are here and have got our act together.”

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Steven Gerrard

Reports claim the Liverpool skipper pulled up during Thursday’s practice match and received treatment on the sidelines for a calf problem.

Gerrard did return to training on Friday but did not complete the session, in which the England squad worked on shooting.

The 29-year-old then left the Austrian training ground with physio Gary Lewin for more treatment, and looks a doubt for Sunday’s final warm-up game (England 7/1 to come from behind and win the friendly) against Japan in Graz.

Sunday’s match will offer a last chance for some players to prove to Fabio Capello that they deserve a place in the final 23-man party.

There is better news on the injury front for Gerrard’s Liverpool colleague Glen Johnson, who also missed training on Thursday with a calf problem.

The right-back was back with the rest of the squad on Friday and impressed during the shooting practise – following on from his cracking goal in the friendly win over Mexico.

Having recovered from a hamstring problem, Sunderland’s Darren Bent is expected to feature against the fellow World Cup qualifiers, with Japan in Group E along with Holland, Denmark and Cameroon.

Stephen Warnock will have a late check on an ankle problem to see if he can start, as he battles with Leighton Baines for the role of back-up to Ashley Cole at left-back.

Capello has already stated that Ledley King will sit out Sunday’s game having completed the full 90 minutes in midweek, so Matthew Upson may be handed a start in the centre of defence.

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres believes Gerrard will be crucial to England’s hopes after claiming his Liverpool team-mate is ‘in the same league’ as Lionel Messi.

The Spanish international says the England midfielder is one of five players capable of dominating at the World Cup and that he is able to ‘win a big game on his own’.

Torres has seen Gerrard’s qualities at first hand and he feels the England vice-captain, along with Wayne Rooney, could win the World Cup for the Three Lions.

The Spain striker said: “He’s in the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, that’s how good he is. Rooney and Stevie must have big tournaments.

“If they do then England should be very much feared.”

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The holders were on Monday preparing themselves for an overall trip of around 1,000 kilometres – including a stay in the French city of Cannes – on a coach because of the flight complications caused by the the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.

The revised plan has led to suggestions Barca could suffer from heavy legs and tired minds when they finally arrive in Italy.

However, Catalan midfielder Busquets said there would be no complaints from the players.

He said: “We are in with a chance to reach another final and we don’t want to throw that away.”

He added: “We know Inter will make it tough for us. We have been having a lot of big games and it’s not the ideal way to travel to Milan, but there can be no excuses. We have to get a good result that will allow us to go into the second leg with confidence.”

The two teams met in the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition earlier this season – Barca drew 0-0 in Milan and beat Inter 2-0 at the Nou Camp – but Busquets has those games will count for precious little at the knockout stage of the tournament.

Jose Mourinho accused his Serie A title-chasers of standing and admiring the Spanish champions following the defeat and Busquets expects the Portuguese tactician will have done his homework.

He said: “Inter know us better and they will be better prepared for our tactics.”

Mourinho is desperate improve on Inter’s record of having not won a major European trophy since the European Champion Clubs’ Cup in 1965 and Busquets has warned it could be a difficult night (2/1 Internazionale – To Qualify).

He added: “Their confidence is high after getting through against teams like Chelsea and the fact that there is a chance of making the final will mean they come out really fired up.”

France international Eric Abidal is struggling to shake off a thigh injury but was expected to travel along with 20-year-old reserve defender Andreu Fontas in the only new additions to the squad that had to settle for a goalless draw with local rivals Espanyol in La Liga at the weekend.

However, coach Pep Guardiola is still missing Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta, who could be out until mid-May with a hamstring tear, and Ukraine international Dmitrio Chygrynskiy, who is ineligible.

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