Italy boosted by Chiellini return

Italy have received a boost ahead of Euro 2012 with the news Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is set to recover from a muscle injury in time for the tournament.

The centre-back picked up a right thigh strain in Juve's final game of the Serie A season against Atalanta on Sunday and the Turin club confirmed he will be out for 20 days.

Chiellini, who was included in coach Cesare Prandelli's preliminary squad for this summer's tournament in Poland and Ukraine, will miss Sunday's Coppa Italia final against Napoli.

The 27-year-old missed just four league games this season and was key in helping champions Juve finish with the best defensive record in the division with only 20 goals conceded in 38 games.

Italy begin their Euro 2012 campaign against world and European champions Spain on June 10 before taking on Group C rivals Croatia four days later and the Republic of Ireland on June 18.