Cagliari defender Davide Astori is in pole position to replace Andrea Barzagli if the latter is withdrawn from Italy’s Euro 2012 squad.

A decision on the Juventus man will be made at the end of the week after he picked up a calf strain on Monday.

Although Inter stopper Andrea Ranocchia was the last defender cut from Cesare Prandelli’s 25-man preliminary squad, it seems that he may not be the automatic replacement.

Sky Sport Italia are claiming that Prandelli has contacted Astori to inform him that he will be required if the Juventus defender is omitted.

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