Four Days for EURO , Cannavaro out of the competition …

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has been ruled out of Euro 2008 due to an ankle injury, according to reports.

Cannavaro suffered the injury after a training ground collision with team-mate Giorgio Chiellini on Monday.

The influential centre-half lay on the turf for 20 minutes before being carried away on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

The Italian medical staff had been hopeful that Cannavaro's injury was not serious, but scans have shown up ankle ligament damage.

He will now be forced to sit out the upcoming European Championship, with the length of his absence yet to be determined.

Though the Italian Football Federation has yet to confirm Cannavaro's absence, the 34-year-old told reporters: "I'm going home."

With Cannavaro now missing from his plans, Azzurri coach Roberto Donadoni will have to call up a replacement.

Daniele Bonera and Alessandro Gamberini are the likely candidates to take Cannavaro's place in the squad for the tournament.

Italy open up their Euro 2008 campaign against Holland on 9th June before the world champions play Romania and France in Group C.