Italy forward Rossi to be fit for World Cup

It had been feared that the striker would miss his country's trip to Brazil, but he should be in a position to make his comeback from a knee injury at the end of March

Fiorentina forward Giuseppe Rossi should be available to represent Italy at the World Cup after being cleared to return to action in two months.

It had been initially feared that the 26-year-old had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament for a third time when he was forced off in the Viola's Serie A clash with Livorno on January 5.

Rossi was first ruled out for six weeks before a secondary prognosis suggested he could be out of action for far longer, putting his World Cup hopes in jeopardy. However, Fiorentina were able to issue a positive injury update on their prolific striker on Tuesday.

"Giuseppe Rossi has recently completed a follow-up visit from knee surgeon specialist Richard Steadman," read a club statement. "He has shown good stability of his recently injured knee.

"The player will continue his fitness rehabilitation, which we expect to take two months."

The news will be a huge relief to Rossi, who is expected to be a prominent member of Cesare Prandelli's Azzurri squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.