Italy boss Marcello Lippi has recalled AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso to his squad.
Midfielder could start in Dublin showdown
Italy boss Marcello Lippi has recalled AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso to his squad to face Republic of Ireland and Cyprus.
Gattuso is included in the 24-man squad and can expect to start against the Republic after missing last month's qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria with an ankle injury.
The final round of qualifiers for next summer's World Cup commences on Saturday, with Group 8 leaders Italy hoping to stave off any threat of the Irish winning the group when they meet in Dublin.
The world champions go into Saturday's showdown four points clear, needing only a point to assure themselves of a place in South Africa.
The Italians then face Cyprus four days later and are strong favourites to top the group, with the Republic needing a slip-up if they are to take automatic qualification.
Genoa centre-half Salvatore Bocchetti and Fiorentina defender Alessandro
Gamberini return to the Italian squad and captain Fabio Cannavaro has been included, but will be unavailable for the Croke Park fixture through suspension.
Italy squad in full:
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari); Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Nicola Legrottaglie (Juventus), Davide Santon (Inter), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan); Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Gaetano D'Agostino (Udinese), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (Milan); Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli) and Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal).
