Voronin ruled out for the remainder

Italy defender Alessandro Nesta has ruled himself out of Friday's quarter-final against Ukraine, but says he hopes to be fit for the semis, should the Azzurri make it.

Nesta missed the second round win over Australia due to a groin injury he picked up during the final group game against Czech Republic.

"I had another visit to the clinic at Duisburg and there is still a little problem but I have made a lot of improvement," Nesta told reporters today.

"I won't be ready for Friday's game but I am confident and the doctor is confident that I will be ready for the semi-final if there will be one for us," the central defender added.

Nesta's replacement against Australia, Marco Materazzi, will also miss the quarter-final due to suspension following his red card in that game.

Palermo defender Andrea Barzagli, who came on as a substitute against Australia, will almost certainly partner captain Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence.

Marcello Lippi has no other recognised central defender in his squad.

Ukraine have their own injury worries with the news that striker Andriy Voronin will miss the rest of the tournament with a thigh injury, leaving the team to find a new partner for Andriy Shevchenko ahead of Friday's game.

"He has slightly torn his thigh muscle," team spokesman Igor Miroshnychenko said on Wednesday. "He will be out for two weeks."

Voronin picked up the injury during Monday's second-round game against Switzerland, which went to a penalty shoot-out that Ukraine won 3-0.

The 26-year-old Voronin works well with Shevchenko, one of the world's most feared strikers, and the pair have played together in every match in the tournament so far.

Coach Oleg Blokhin could replace him with Andriy Vorobei, who started against Switzerland on Monday when attacking midfielder Serhiy Rebrov was dropped to the bench.

With Voronin out, the experienced Rebrov is likely to return to the starting line-up.  Also back in the frame for Friday's match in Hamburg is defender Volodymir Yezersky, who missed the last three games with a thigh injury.

"He has been back in full training. If Blokhin needs to use him, he is ready to play," said Miroshnychenko.

The game kicks off at 7 pm on Friday and the winner will face either Germany or Argentina in the semi-finals.