Alberto Gilardino has been ruled out of Italy's upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Serbia because of a calf injury.

The Fiorentina striker and full-back Luca Antonelli (toe) were both sent home from Gli Azzurri's training camp today after they failed fitness tests. Coach Cesare Prandelli is due to name his replacements later this afternoon ahead of Friday's match at Windsor Park.

"Gilardino has had a muscle problem in the tendon of his left soleus (calf)," team doctor Enrico Castellacci revealed. "It is not a serious injury, but he will not recover for these two games and therefore will return home.

"It should take a fortnight for him to recover, but I will leave that to Fiorentina. Antonelli is suffering from bruising to the second toe of his left foot. It is quite painful so he will miss these two games."