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Thiago Motta out of quarter-final with England?

Thiago Motta out of quarter-final with England?
© PA Photos
Thiago Motta is a doubt to face England in their Euro 2012 quarter-final but Mario Balotelli is expected to start.

Mario Balotelli is expected to return to the starting lineup to face England, but Thiago Motta is a fitness doubt, according to reports.

The PSG midfielder is struggling to prove his fitness after struggling with muscle fatigue.

Coach Cesare Prandelli has options to replace Motta with Bologna's Alessandro Diamanti, Riccardo Montolivo or Antonio Nocerino, both of Milan.

Mario Balotelli is expected to return to the starting 11 for the England game having been dropped for the final group game against the Republic of Ireland.

The Manchester City forward came on and clinched victory for the Azzurri with a spectacular overhead kick, and he is expected to replace Antonio Di Natale from the start.

Juventus stopper Leonardo Bonucci should come into the back four in place of the injured Giorgio Chiellini.

In terms of formation, Prandelli currently favours the 4-3-1-2 ahead of the 3-5-2 he used in the 1-1 draws with Spain and Croatia.

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