Cassano recalled to Italy squad for Euro 2008 qualifiers

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has included Real Madrid striker Antonio Cassano in the 24-man squad for the world champions' Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania on September 2 and France on September 6.

Cassano, 24, is considered one of Italy's most talented players but was left out of the World Cup squad by Donadoni's predecessor Marcello Lippi after struggling to win a starting place at Real.

There was no room, however, for World Cup strikers Luca Toni, Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Vincenzo Iaquinta, all of whom are short of full match fitness.

Also missing is defender Marco Materazzi, who is serving a two-match ban for goading Zinedine Zidane into head-butting him in the World Cup final.

Italy Squad

Goalkeepers: Christian Abbiati (Torino), Marco Amelia (Livorno), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus).

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Palermo), Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Dario Dainelli (Fiorentina), Fabio Grosso (Inter), Massimo Oddo (Lazio), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Cristian Zaccardo (Palermo), Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona).

Midfielders: Massimo Am-brosini (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Marco Marchionni (Juventus), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Franco Semioli (Chievo).

Strikers: Emiliano Bonazzoli (Sampdoria), Antonio Cassano (Real Madrid), David Di Michele (Palermo), Alberto Gilardino (Milan), Filippo Inzaghi (Milan), Tommas Rocchi (Lazio).