Chiellini determined to regain fitness

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini says he has no intention of allowing an injury to ruin his hopes of participating in Euro 2012.

The versatile Juventus centre-back suffered a minor thigh injury in his club’s final game of the Serie A season against Atalanta, and was ruled out of action for 20 days.

There are still concerns over whether Chiellini will be fully fit for Italy’s tournament opener against Spain on June 10, but the 27-year-old was able to offer a positive injury update on Wednesday.

“I think I’ll recover for the Euros,” he said.

“I have already started running again.

“I’ve been waiting two years for this tournament and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. On the day of the injury I was really disappointed, but soon after, I calmed down.”

Chiellini’s injury has prevented him from training with Pescara youngster Marco Verratti, a surprise inclusion in Italy’s preliminary squad for Poland and Ukraine, but has been impressed by what he has seen from the reported Juve target.

“Verratti is definitely a young man with great prospects,” he said.

“He would do well in coming to Turin. He would only grow and improve.”