Roque Santa Cruz featured as a second half substitute as Italy came from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw in the opening clash in Group F.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Santa Cruz was not deemed fit enough to start the game and made little impact when introduced with just over twenty minutes left but with a real chance of qualifying we may well see more of Santa Cruz further down the line.

With a World Cup followed by a full pre-season with ourselves, it could leave Santa Cruz in a good position come the start of the season, but given his injury history this is far from likely - and even if he is fit and raring to go for the start of 2010/11 he may well find himself surplus to requirements regardless depending on the reinforcements that Roberto Mancini brings in.