Marchetti out until 2012 with hamstring pull

Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti will be out until the start of next year after pulling his hamstring, the club said today. Marchetti, 28, who deputised for injured first choice Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon at the FIFA World Cup™ last year, suffered the injury in Saturday's win at Lecce. He has been in fabulous form recently and looked set to earn his first Italy call-up since South Africa. Although Marchetti gave away the penalty on Saturday that saw Lecce take an early lead, he then made two crucial stops to keep Lazio in the game before a Miroslav Klose inspired comeback saw them snatch a late 3-2 victory. He pulled up suddenly during Saturday's game when going to collect a back-pass and had to be replaced. Albano Bizzarri, who is himself just coming back from injury, is set to step into the breach if judged fit or else the club will again turn to Juan-Pablo Carrizo, an Argentine who came on in Marchetti's stead at Lecce. Carrizo was signed from River Plate in 2008 but swiftly lost his place and has spent much of the time since on loan at first Zaragoza and then back at River. Lazio, currently fourth in Serie A, are in UEFA Europa League action against Sporting Lisbon and then face Udinese and Chievo before the winter break.