South Korea v Italy | Second round
Daejeon | Tue 18 June | 1230 BST
BBC One/Radio Five Live
Italy are optimistic that star defender Alessandro Nesta will be fit to face South Korea on Tuesday.
The Lazio centre-half played against Mexico with a badly bruised foot and has been unable to train since then.
But coach Giovanni Trapattoni said Nesta had made a good recovery and should be able to play against South Korea.
"After three total days of recuperation, the foot isn't
swollen," Trapattoni said.
"But like last time, we'll have to wait and assess his will to play and his health."
Italy are already without the suspended Fabio Cannavaro and Trapattoni is desperate for Nesta to play on Tuesday.
"We don't want to have to do without him," Trapattoni admitted.
Nesta was also a doubt against Mexico, but played through the pain barrier as Italy gained a 1-1 draw.
"I always want to play," Nesta insisted. "Let's hope - we'll
wait and see."
Francesco Totti had said Nesta's foot was so swollen that he "cannot even put on a training shoe" at the weekend.
If the Lazio centre-half is ruled out, Trapattoni could switch to a four-man defence with captain Paolo Maldini moving from left-back to the centre.
Materazzi (left) could replace Cannavaro (right)
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Mark Iuliano would also be drafted into the centre
of defence.
Italy's defence has conceded just three goals but looked vulnerable when Nesta went off injured against Croatia.
There was better news for Italy concerning Luigi di Biagio, who is ready to start running again after a calf injury but will not be ready in time to face South Korea.
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