MANAUS, Brazil: Italy denied goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had been ruled out of Saturday’s opening World Cup Group D match against England in Manaus, saying a decision would be made later in the day.

But the veteran keeper — one of the team’s most important players — earlier appeared to confirm his absence in a social media comment that referred to missing a game.

The 36-year-old twisted his ankle in a Friday training session and although coach Cesare Prandelli was confident he would be fit for the clash, Italian media said he would be unable to recover in time for the 6 p.m. ET (2200 GMT) kickoff.

Asked whether Buffon had been ruled out of the game, a spokeswoman for the Italian soccer federation said: “No, we’ll decide later.”

Mass circulation daily newspapers Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport said Paris St. Germain keeper Salvatore Sirigu would take Buffon’s place in the starting lineup.

Buffon earlier tweeted a link to social network site Whosay.com to say: “Life is beautiful and I am still in debt to it. Missing one game or missing another World Cup isn’t going to change that.

“There are a lot of ways to be important even if you aren’t on the field. So, come on Salvatore! Come on magic lads.”

The injury to Buffon, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, is a further blow to the Azzurri after fullback Mattia De Sciglio was ruled out of the game with a thigh injury.