Alessandro Nesta has been passed fit to start Italy's World Cup opener against Ghana on Monday.

The commanding central defender has not trained for the past few days because of a muscle strain, but Azzurri doctor Enrico Castellacci has given him the go ahead to start working with the rest of the squad again.

"From today Nesta is available to the coach," said Castellacci.

The doctor also had positive news about Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso, who will miss the clash with the Black Stars in Hanover because of thigh injuries.

He added: "If there are no problems then Zambrotta should be available next week and Gattuso should also be ready next week, he is showing some improvement."