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Wales v Italy | Wed 16 October Kick-off 1945 BST | Live on BBC Wales, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sport Online

Italy's injury woes worsened on Sunday when striker Filippo Inzaghi became the latest player to pull out of the squad to face Wales.

Middlesbrough's in-form marksman Massimo Maccarone will replace him for Wednesday's Euro 2004 qualifier in Cardiff.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni had already lost Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri and Francesco Coco before Saturday's match with Yugoslavia.

Filippo Inzaghi
Inzaghi has a foot injury
Inzaghi played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw in Naples, but had to admit defeat to a foot injury which had plagued him all week.

Maccarone has won just one senior cap for the Azzurri, but his scoring exploits for Middlesbrough this season have certainly caught the eye.

"He (Maccarone) was already prepared," said Trapattoni on Sunday.

"This evening he will join up with the national squad."

Maccarone signed for Middlesbrough in July 2002 for �8.1 million.

He came to the attention of Boro coach Steve McClaren after making his full international debut against England in March.

We apologise for not being able to win

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni

Before moving to the Premiership, Maccarone inspired Empoli to promotion to Serie A last season, scoring 24 goals in 68 league games.

Trapattoni came under increased fire from the unimpressed Italian press after the draw with Yugoslavia, but the 63-year-old has brushed aside calls for him to quit.

He apologised for his team's performance, but then blamed the sodden pitch as much as his own selections.

"We wanted to give something exceptional to Naples. We thank this wonderful public for their support and apologise for not being able to win."

"But I'll tell you something - the ground conditions penalised us.

"Our team is built for quick manoeuvres and speed."

Wales manager Mark Hughes has no such injury worries for Wednesday.

All of the players who played for their clubs in Nationwide League clashes on Saturday returned to the training camp fit and well.


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