Cannavaro surgery rated a success

Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro has had surgery on the ankle ligament injury that has ruled him out of Euro 2008.

The World Cup-winning skipper suffered the injury in training on Monday but will remain with the squad for the tournament in Switzerland and Austria.

"The surgery lasted little more than half an hour and was perfectly successful," the Italian soccer federation said in a statement.

The Real Madrid player, 34, had the operation at a clinic in Vienna.

Cannavaro is expected to be out for a few months but will offer his support to the rest of the squad during Euro 2008.

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The Italian soccer federation said Uefa has given the 34-year-old a special accreditation for the finals.

He was replaced in the squad by Alessandro Gamberini, although a decision on who will take over as captain has yet to be made.

Italy start their campaign against Holland in Berne on Monday before facing Romania and France in Group C.

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