Prandelli names Italy squad

Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo have been recalled to the Italy squad to take on Estonia and the Republic of Ireland in June.

Manchester City striker Balotelli has not featured for Italy since their 1-1 draw against Romania in November 2010.

He has been left out of subsequent national squads through a combination of injury and indiscipline, with Italy coach Cesare Prandelli refusing to select players who do not meet his expected standards of behaviour while at their clubs.

In line with the policy, Roma’s Daniele De Rossi has been omitted after the red card he received against Bari on May 1 resulted in a three-match domestic ban.

Midfielder Pirlo, who will move from long-term club AC Milan to Turin giants Juventus in the close season, has not played international football since Italy’s 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland in October 2010.

The 32-year-old playmaker has endured an injury-interrupted season for Milan, making just 19 starts in all competitions for the Serie A champions.

Italy host Estonia in a Euro 2012 qualifying match at Modena’s Stadio Alberto Braglia on June 3, before taking on Ireland in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on June 7.

Prandelli’s side top qualifying group C with 13 points, five ahead of second-place Slovenia.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Sirigu (Palermo), Viviano (Bologna).

Defenders: Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Cassani (Palermo), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Maggio (Napoli), Ranocchia (Inter).

Midfielders: Aquilani (Liverpool), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter), Nocerino (Palermo), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan).

Attackers: Balotelli (Manchester City), Cassano (Milan), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giovinco (Parma), Matri (Juventus), Pazzini (Inter), Rossi (Villarreal).