MILAN, Oct 9 — Mario Balotelli is a doubt for Italy’s penultimate World Cup qualifier away to Denmark after suffering an adductor injury in training, according to reports today.

Balotelli was poised to line up for Cesare Prandelli’s side, which has already qualified for Brazil 2014, against Denmark on Friday and Armenia yesterday.

However the AC Milan striker remains a doubt for Friday’s Group B fixture.

Early reports suggested Balotelli had suffered a knee injury but after undergoing scans he was diagnosed with a left adductor strain, according to domestic news agency ANSA.

Italy’s chief doctor Enrico Castellacci said Balotelli’s availability would depend on how he recovered in the days leading up to Friday’s game.

“We will evaluate him day to day. If he recovers quickly, he will be ready to play,” said Castellacci.

Four-time champions Italy secured their ticket for the 2014 World Cup after a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Turin last month. — AFP