Balotelli, Pirlo back

The pair have missed recent squads because of injury-hit seasons but Cesare Prandelli has eagerly brought back two of his favourite players for the Group C encounter and the friendly against Ireland four days later in Liege, Belgium.

Pirlo is still contracted to AC Milan for a few more weeks but has announced he is leaving the Serie A champions with Juventus his likely destination.

Several other players with uncertain club futures are included with Sampdoria captain Angelo Palombo there despite his side's relegation.

Juventus centre back Leonardo Bonucci misses out through injury meaning Alessandro Gamberini wins a rare call-up in a squad otherwise containing few surprises.

The Azzurri, dumped out in the group stage of last year's World Cup as holders, lead Group C by five points as they edge towards next year's finals in Ukraine and Poland.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo), Emiliano Viviano (Bologna)

Defenders: Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Alessandro Gamberini (Fiorentina), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter), Antonio Nocerino (Palermo), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Antonio Cassano (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma), Alessandro Matri (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Inter), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)