Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni said the injury had improved, and there was a chance that Nesta will play.

"After three total days of recuperation, the foot isn't swollen," Trapattoni said. "But like last time, we'll have to wait, assess his will to play, his health. We don't want to have to do without him."

Trapattoni said that if Nesta is unfit, he will be replaced by Mark Iuliano of Juventus.

Alessandro Del Piero looks set to be in Italy's starting line-up. He trained with the likely starters on the eve of the second-round tie.

He has not started a match so far in the tournament, but came off the bench to score the equaliser in the final group game against Mexico.

Del Piero hopes the goal might earn him a starting place against Korea.

Italy used Christian Vieri and Francesco Totti in attack in the first two group stage matches, but as expected Trapattoni added a third striker against Mexico.

He opted for Filippo Inzaghi, and Trapattoni's next choice was Vincenzo Montella, who like Inzaghi had a goal disallowed. Then Del Piero was brought on in the 78th minute and scored seven minutes later.

South Korea coach Guus Hiddink claims it will be "almost impossible" for his side to win.

Korea will carry the weight of expectation of the entire nation into the game following their wonderful group campaign.

Hiddink is aware their wins over Poland and Portugal have fuelled this expectation and he was keen to portray Korea as the underdogs.

"It's a good match to go into the next round and we have a lot of respect for Italy," he said.

"The way they play is very, very efficient so it will be a nice clash between number four or five in the Fifa world rankings and number 35 or 40.

"It might be another historic night and let's make history by trying to do what's almost impossible. We have achieved our unbelievable goal, but there is still a hunger for this match."