Balotelli out for Wednesday's friendly against England

Italy's Mario Balotelli has been ruled out of Wednesday's friendly international against England due to an eye infection.



The Manchester City striker had been called up by coach Cesare Prandelli against the side he helped eliminate from this summer's European Championship at the quarter-final stage.



But the 22-year-old has been allowed to rejoin his club after suffering from conjunctivitis.



He has been replaced in the squad for the match on neutral ground in Berne by Udinese forward Diego Fabbrini.



Prandelli told Gazzetta dello Sport: "We were hoping (Balotelli) would



recover in time, but it wasn't to be.



"I want to give him a key role in the long term and I expect him to accept



responsibility when I do."



Balotelli was one of the stars of Italy's Euro 2012 campaign, finishing joint-top scorer in the tournament thanks to a stunning brace in the semi-final victory over Germany.