Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has announced his intention to play at the next World Cup after being ruled out of Euro 2008 through injury.

The 34-year-old central defender will have an operation in Vienna on Wednesday after sustaining ligament damage to his left ankle in Monday's training session.

"I have asked coach Roberto Donadoni if I can remain here with my team-mates as I consider it the right thing to do having worked with them for the last two years," Cannavaro said in a press conference on Tuesday.

"And you (the media) will have to put up with me for a further two years."

The Real Madrid man also offered words of support to Italy team-mate Giorgio Chiellini after his tackle led to Cannavaro's injury.

"He (Chiellini) shouldn't think about it," Cannavaro added. "It's not his fault. He should be calm."

Donadoni has called Alessandro Gamberini as a replacement, with the Fiorentina defender set to join the national team at their training camp in Baden on Tuesday.

Italy begin their European campaign against Holland on June 9.