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Juventus' Giorgio Chiellini in training to boost Italy ahead of Euro 2016

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini's hopes of making Euro 2016 have improved by returning to training with Juventus after a thigh injury.

Chiellini, 31, missed the whole of March due to calf trouble and lasted just 53 minutes of the Serie A victory over Empoli on April 2 before suffering a setback.

Despite enduring a stop-start season, the centre-back has made over 20 league appearances for Juventus, who are nine points clear at the top of Serie A.

Chiellini, capped 82 times by Italy, joined Roberto Pereyra on the training ground on Thursday and will look to play some part in the Old Lady's remaining four league games to prove his fitness to Italy boss Antonio Conte.

A statement on Juventus' official website read: "Giorgio Chiellini and Roberto Pereyra participated in part of the session with the group.

"Players who played yesterday against Lazio were limited to recovery work, while the rest of the team had basic athletic and technical exercises."