Petagna replaces injured Gabbiadini in Italy squad

A groin injury has forced red-hot Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini to withdraw from Italy's squad for a pair of upcoming internationals, the Azzurri confirmed on Twitter.

Atalanta youngster Andrea Petagna has been drafted as a replacement.

Gabbiadini suffered the problem in Sunday's match at Tottenham, in which he required a substitution in the 32nd minute.

The 25-year-old had worked his way back into Italy's plans after completing a £17-million transfer from Napoli, where he struggled to get regular minutes.

Life at Southampton began without a hitch for Gabbiadini - he scored three goals in his first two Premier League matches and bagged a brace in the League Cup final - but the injury means he will not earn a first international cap since November 2015.

Petagna, who has scored five Serie A goals in 25 appearances for Atalanta this season, will now join his countrymen for a World Cup qualifier against Albania on March 24, and a friendly in the Netherlands four days later.