Buffon forced to leave Italy squad with knee injury

Gianluigi Buffon was forced to leave the Italian national team after picking up a knee injury during the country's draw with Croatia on Friday.

The veteran 'keeper suffered the injury in the first half of the 1-1 draw and continued to play with 10 stitches in his right knee before being replaced by Salvatore Sirigu at halftime.

A timetable for his return has not been announced.

Sirigu should get the start when Italy play a friendly against Portugal in Geneva on Tuesday.