Gennaro Gattuso has been ruled out of Italy's World Cup opener against Ghana on Monday with a thigh injury.

The AC Milan midfielder was submitted to a clinic this morning and examinations revealed an injury to the quadriceps on his right thigh.

He is expected to be sidelined for around 15 days, which would force him to miss the games against Ghana and USA, while he would also be doubtful for the final group clash, against the Czech Republic on June 22nd.

Gattuso joins defender Gianluca Zambrotta on the sidelines for the Ghana game. Zambrotta, the Juventus full-back, is also out with a thigh injury.