Italy send injured Verratti back to PSG

Rome (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has been allowed return to France after Italian team doctors declared him unfit to play upcoming friendlies with Spain and Germany.

The supremely talented PSG number six missed the Champions League clincher against Chelsea two weeks ago after first picking up a groin strain in mid-January, and has not played since.

So eyebrows were raised when he was called up for games against Spain on Thursday and Germany next Tuesday.

The Italian federation revealed via their Twitter account that the 23-year-old with the tough tackle and the pin-point pass had been sent home.

"Marco Verratti has completed medical checks and with the agreement of PSG has been given permission to rejoin his club."

A key player in PSG's French and European title charge this season, Verratti had previously been linked to moves to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but recently signed an extension with the French champions until 2020.

"We all need him but he needs rest," PSG handler Laurent Blanc said when Verratti was called up. "It's not a serious injury, but rushing him back won't help."