Italy defender Alessandro Nesta has been deemed fit to play against Ghana in the opening game of Group E on Monday, Football Italia magazine reported. The AC Milan defender has recovered from a slight muscle strain sustained during the 0-0 friendly draw against Ukraine last week. "Nesta is again at the disposal of the Coach," Italy's team doctor Enrico Castellacci told reporters on Saturday. The latest update on Nesta's fitness comes as a boost to coach Marcello Lippi, who has other injury concerns ahead of Ghana's clash. Key duo Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso will miss the Azzurri's opener after picking up leg muscle injuries. "We carried out a number of tests on the three players this morning. As for Zambrotta, we are hoping to have him back in shape at some stage next week," Castellacci said. "Gattuso is making some great improvements. The situation will be clinically evaluated again in a few days time. We're optimistic," he added. Juventus defender Zambrotta may participate in Italy's game against the United States on June 17th while Gattuso is tipped to take part in his country's final group encounter against the Czech Republic.
