Alessandro Del Piero looks likely to be included in Italy's squad for next week's friendly against Ireland.

The Juve captain hasn't appeared for the national side in the past 11 months, but rumours are rife that he will be selected for Wednesday's match in Dublin.

Coach Marcello Lippi is understood to have been impressed with Del Piero's pre-season form, he netted twice against Roma in midweek, and his name is expected to be in the squad list tomorrow.

Del Piero will be eager to prove a point to his former coach at Juventus after becoming a fringe player over the last year for his country.

The attacker has only played in one of Lippi's 12 games in charge, back on September 8 when he netted the only goal of the game in Moldova.

Lippi is expected to select a strong squad for the Ireland game, including Christian Vieri of Milan and Fiorentina's Luca Toni.

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