Italy Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo Ruled Out of Brazil World Cup

Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo is out of the 2014 World Cup after breaking his leg in the goalless warm-up match against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday - with England manager Roy Hodgson looking on.

Hodgson's side face the Italians in their opening Group D match on 14 June in Manaus but Montolivo will not play as a result of a challenge from Ireland defender Alex Pearce after just 13 minutes at Craven Cottage.

The AC Milan skipper, captain of Italy on the night in west London, was expected to be included in both Cesare Prandelli's final 23-man squad for the finals in Brazil and the starting 11 against England in a fortnight's time.

"All our thoughts are for Riccardo," Italy coach Prandelli said. 'He is a key player, so everybody is really cut up. They're so upset right now. He has a really good attitude.

"He's such a great personality on and off the pitch and I think all the lads were really shocked.

"Obviously after what happened the players were distracted, psychologically it is difficult to move on. It is too emotional to consider now how it affects the squad."

Montolivo spent the night in Chelsea and Westminster hospital and will fly to Milan on Sunday for surgery after fracturing the tibia in his left leg.

The ex-Atalanta and Fiorentina man has won 58 caps for his country and having played a vital role in helping Italy to the European Championship final in 2012 was again set to marshal the midfield.

Substitute Alberto Aquilani was also replaced after a clash of heads with Stephen Ward in a harrowing night of injuries for Italy.

The four-time world champions face England in their first group game before taking on Costa Rica and Uruguay for a place in the knock-out phase.

Watch the incident that put Montolivo out of the World Cup on YouTube, below: