Zambrotta has a left thigh strain and has already been ruled out of the first two group matches, severely disrupting Lippi's preparations for the June 9-July 9 tournament.

Juventus defender Zambrotta is Italy's most versatile player, able to play on the left or right-hand side, in defence and in midfield, and his absence would be sorely felt by the three-time world champions.

"Gianluca will have a scan on Tuesday and we will evaluate the situation after we've seen the results," Lippi said on Saturday.

Daniele Bonera is on stand-by should Lippi decide not to risk taking Zambrotta to Germany.

The Parma defender usually plays at right-back, but has played in every position across the back four.

Lippi was given another scare on Friday when Alessandro Nesta injured his right leg in a 0-0 warm-up draw against Ukraine, but the imperious AC Milan defender is expected to recover in good time.

"Alessandro felt a twinge in the same muscle he strained last week, but he should be okay," Lippi said.

The Gazzetta dello Sport compared Italy's toothless performance against Ukraine to camomile, the herbal tea that helps you sleep, but Lippi drew on the positives as his side extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches.

"We don't need to be brilliant now," said the 58-year-old former Juventus coach."

"The players are determined to keep this run going and when the World Cup starts we won't be hiding. You'll see a team with bags of enthusiasm."

Striker Luca Toni insisted Italy were simply in need of some fine-tuning.

"Were on the right track and its important to be ready when the tournament starts," said the Fiorentina marksman who was top scorer in Serie A this season with 31 goals.

"We need to sharpen up a bit and well do everything we can to have a great World Cup."

The Italian team have been given Sunday off and they will resume for training at their home base camp in Coverciano, near Florence, on Monday. They will train again on Tuesday before flying to Germany the following day.

Italy will be based in Duisburg, a small city situated in the west of Germany in the heart of its industrial Ruhr area, and will use the facilities of Bundesliga club MSV Duisburg.

The Azzurri begin their World Cup campaign against Ghana in Hanover on June 12, before taking on the United States in Kaiserslautern five days later. Their final group game is against the Czech Republic in Hamburg on June 22.