Manuel Pasqual could play with protective helmet after head injury

Fiorentina's Manuel Pasqual could play this weekend's Serie A clash with Cagliari Calcio wearing a helmet after sustaining a head injury while playing for Italy.

The winger suffered a deep gash to the head after being elbowed by the Czech Republic's Libor Kozak during Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.

"I spoke to Pasqual today," Fiorentina vice-president Sandro Mencucci told reporters. "Fortunately the accident was less serious than it looked, but it was a very heavy blow and they even had to sedate him in order to put in the stitches.

"He immediately underwent tests that showed no problems. This morning I received a phone call from the director general of the FIGC, Antonello Valentini, who asked me what condition the lad was in.

"The medical staff told me Pasqual's situation will be monitored day by day. He could play with a protective helmet, as Petr Cech has done for years, but our squad is big enough that we don't need to risk him."

Italy defeated the Czech Republic 2-1, a result that fired them into the World Cup finals.