Gianluigi Buffon has handed Italy and Juventus a fresh injury scare.
Gianluigi Buffon has handed Italy and Juventus a fresh injury scare.
The goalkeeper was forced to sit out Juventus' 1-1 draw with Lazio on Saturday due to a recurrence of his shoulder injury.
The 27-year-old missed the first half of the season due to a shoulder problem and his absence at the weekend has sparked renewed concerns.
Juventus have yet to comment on the extent of Buffon's setback, while Italy coach Marcello Lippi will also be keeping a close eye on the situation.
Buffon is expected to be the Azzurri's first choice at the World Cup finals and Lippi will hoping the shot-stopper has not suffered a serious injury.
Lippi's Juventus counterpart Fabio Capello will also be anxious for an upbeat bulletin on the former Parma keeper's condition.
The stalemate with Lazio saw Juventus' lead at the top of Serie A cut to three points by Milan, with three games left to play.
