Pancaro misses out on Portugal

By Paolo Menicucci

Surgery inevitable
The 32-year-old was attempting to avoid having an operation but after three weeks on the sidelines, he has been told surgery is his only option. "There has been no improvement after 20 days of rest and the decision has been made to go under the knife," said Pancaro.

Sad blow
The defender, who will have his operation in Finland tomorrow, was disappointed to miss out on Europe's showpiece competition, saying: "It's really sad to miss such a beautiful and important tournament but things like this happen. I'll have to support my team-mates from home and I'll be back next season."

Hope for Favalli
Pancaro was expected to provide cover for Gianluca Zambrotta in Portugal, with that role now likely to go to Giuseppe Favalli of S.S. Lazio.