Mario Balotelli out of Italy squad after picking up hamstring injury in training

Mario Balotelli has pulled out of the Italy squad with a hamstring injury.

The Liverpool striker picked up the problem in training earlier this week, although team doctors were confident he would recover in time for the Euro 2016 qualifier with Croatia on Sunday.

However, his condition hasn't improved and Balotelli will now return to Melwood for treatment.

The news will come as a major blow to the 24-year-old who was named in the Azzurri squad for the first time since the World Cup - despite his lacklustre club form.

Earlier this week, Italy boss Antonio Conte said: "I'm worried that people see Balotelli differently to the others."

"Balotelli is a normal footballer, just like the others, who can also stay on the bench, or in the stands. We don't need to differentiate Balotelli from the others. He's just one of the 23 players"

"He needs to catch my eye and I have to see if he can adapt to our type of football," concluded Conte

Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna has also left the Italy camp.

Italy will be facing Albania in a friendly next week after the Croatia clash.