Marco Marchionni will not require surgery for a fractured metatarsal, but the Juventus winger will be out for three months.
The former Empoli man broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot during training for their English tour last week and X-rays confirmed the initial diagnosis.
Marchionni will be put in a protective cast for 40-45 days before beginning rehabilitation, so he won’t be back on the playing field for at least three months.
There were fears the fracture would require surgery and an even longer lay-off, but the Bianconeri medical staff found that was not necessary.
It is a bitter blow for Marchionni, who was one of the most impressive players in his squad during the pre-season friendlies.
Obviously he is out of the squad travelling to Naples for tomorrow’s high-profile Trofeo Birra Moretti, a tournament against Napoli and Inter.
The other top stars missing out for Juve are Gianluigi Buffon, who suffered a muscular problem in his left thigh during the 1-1 draw with Sunderland, Mauro Camoranesi, Pavel Nedved and Zdenek Grygera.
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