Mario Balotelli: Liverpool striker pulls out of the Italy squad with hamstring injury

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Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has left Italy's training camp with a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old suffered the problem in training ahead of Sunday's European Championship qualifier with Croatia and has been unable to recover from it.

It was decided on Saturday that Balotelli would be released back to his club and Italy announced the news on their official Twitter feed.

Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna has also gone home with a similar complaint.

Italy also play Albania in a friendly on Tuesday and coach Antonio Conte has called up 14 extra players for the match.

Those who face Croatia will not be involved, giving some fringe names the chance to impress.

Sampodria striker Stefano Okaka, Cagliari defender Luca Rossettini and Genoa midfielder Stefano Sturaro all receive their first call-ups.

PA