Italy have been dealt a blow ahead of their opening World Cup Group D clash against England on Saturday after defender Mattia De Sciglio was ruled out with a calf strain.

Italy doctor Enrico Castellacci said an MRI scan had confirmed the 21-year-old AC Milan left-back would miss at least one match.

The injury could force Italy coach Cesare Prandelli to shift centre-back Giorgio Chiellini to the left and hand a start to Leonardo Bonucci or Gabriel Paletta.

Italy will follow Saturday's clash with fixtures against Costa Rica in Recife on June 20 and Uruguay in Natal four days later.

De Sciglio has won 11 caps for Italy since making his international debut against Brazil last year.