The AC Milan star was taken to hospital in an ambulance after falling into a hole between the two dugouts in a training game against fourth division Itala San Marco's youth team, injuring his head and left wrist.

It is another blow for Italy coach Marcello Lippi who is already without Alessandro Gamberini and Fabio Grosso after they were injured in the opening 15 minutes of Saturday's victory against Cyprus.

Tests at the Gorizia hospital revealed that Gattuso had dislocated and broken several bones in his wrist and he was immediately operated on.

Reports suggest that Lippi will call up a replacement, but the Azzurri coach has yet to announce who will come into his squad.