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FLORENCE, Italy -- United States-born forward Giuseppe Rossi was left off Italys final 23-man squad for the World Cup on Sunday. Coach Cesare Prandelli apparently judged that Rossi hadnt fully recovered from his latest right knee injury in January. It was likely a difficult decision since Rossi has always been one of Prandellis favourite players. Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne was selected instead. Rossi played 71 minutes in Italys 0-0 draw with Ireland on Saturday but failed to make much of an impact. Rossi was also one of the final cuts by then-coach Marcello Lippi in 2010, although Lippi said last week that he regretted that decision. Now, Rossi will have to wait until 2018 -- when hell be 31 -- for a chance to play in the World Cup. Also cut from Prandellis 30-man preliminary squad were: forward Mattia Destro; Brazilian-born midfielder Romulo, who has been dealing with a muscle problem; and fullbacks Manuel Pasqual and Christian Maggio. Key midfielder Riccardo Montolivo was ruled out after breaking the tibia bone in his left leg against Ireland. Center back Andrea Ranocchia was selected as a 24th man to go to Brazil as a possible replacement for Andrea Barzagli, who has been fighting injury all season. Rossi was born in New Jersey to Italian parents and was offered a chance to play for the United States at an early age but he has always said it was his dream to play for the Azzurri. Rossi led Serie A with 14 goals in 17 matches with Fiorentina until he re-injured his right knee in January, sidelining him for four months. He returned a month ago but has not played a full 90 minutes since coming back and occasionally appeared hesitant against Ireland. Rossi initially tore his right anterior cruciate ligament during a match with Villarreal against Real Madrid in October 2011 and needed three operations before returning with Fiorentina in May 2013. Insigne scored twice when his Napoli club beat Rossis Fiorentina 3-1 in the Italian Cup a month ago. That was Rossis first match back. Besides sure starter Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano and Torino strike partners Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci were also chosen up front. Cassano made the squad following a resurgent season with Parma. After two years away from the national team, his appearance against Ireland was his first since the 2012 European Championship final. Immobile led Serie A with 22 goals in 33 appearances and Cerci is a reliable winger. Torino fullback Matteo Darmian, who made his Italy debut against Ireland and can play on either the right or the left, was also included, along with Argentine-born centre back Gabriel Paletta. In midfield, the newcomers are Paris Saint-Germains Marco Verratti and Parmas Marco Parolo. Verratti, in particular, shined against Ireland and is considered an eventual replacement for Andrea Pirlo. Four-time champion Italy opens its World Cup campaign against England in Group D on June 14 then faces Costa Rica on June 20 and Uruguay on June 24. The Azzurri play Luxembourg in Perugia on Wednesday then fly out to Brazil a day later. ------ Italy: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain). Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Gabriel Paletta (Parma). Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Parma), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain). Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli). Wholesale Shirts .com) - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were among the third-round winners Friday at the French Open. Cheap Authentic Shirts .ca presents its latest weekly power rankings for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season. http://www.cheapshirtsfromchina.com/ . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario. Discount NFL Shirts .com) - Real Madrid claimed its 16th consecutive victory across all competitions on Saturday after earning a 2-1 win over Malaga at the Estadio La Rosaleda. Cheap Shirts For Sale . UCI President Brian Cookson said Wednesday the commission will investigate allegations "that the UCI has been involved in wrongdoing in the past -- allegations which have done so much to hurt the credibility of the UCI and our sport.Andrew Johnston admitted he was frustrated by his putting as he ended his opening round level par at Baltusrol. It was an up-and-down round for the 27-year-old Englishman, particularly on the back nine as he recorded three birdies and three bogeys between the 10th and the 15th hole before recording his fifth birdie of the round on the last. Heres why Andrew Beef Johnston is fast becoming the one of the most famous golfers in the world. I made it quite tough, he told Sky Sports. I thought I drove the ball really good and hit some good irons but I thought I putted really poorly today. I had a couple of three-putts which was frustrating but I just kept going and battled because I knew I was hitting it well. I just tried to hang in there and get it back to somewhere near level. Johnston was well supported throughout his opening round Much in the same way as he did at The Open at Royal Troon, Johnston received plenty of support from the New Jersey crowd.ddddddddddddHowever, he insists that the added attention is not adversely affecting his game. Johnston got lucky with this bounce on the fourth hole Ive just done exactly the same as I did a couple of weeks ago, he said.Ive gone from greens to tees, a few high fives as people put their hands out and just acknowledge the crowd, but when I get to my ball, Im ready to go. Its been absolutely fine.Watch the PGA Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Live coverage of the second round begins from 6pm on Friday. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: PGA Championship leaderboard WATCH: Beefs lucky bounce Walker sets the early pace Fisher leads British challenge ' ' '