Inter's Davide Santon named in Italy squad

Inter's uncapped full-back Davide Santon was included yesterday in Italy's 23-man Confederations Cup squad, crowning a remarkable season for a teenager who was unheard of just a few months ago.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi called Santon up for the first time for tomorrow's friendly in Pisa against N. Ireland and has opted to take him to South Africa having watched him in training for the past two days.

Santon's chances of going with the holders to next year's World Cup look high given that Lippi resisted the temptation to spring another surprise in the rest of the squad.

The coach had already selected 13 established names, who are being rested for tomorrow's friendly, and has now chosen the remaining 10 he wants for next Wednesday's Pretoria friendly with New Zealand and the Confederations Cup which follows.

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo), De Sanctis (Galatasaray).

Defenders: Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Lyon), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter), Zambrotta (Milan).

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan).

Forwards: Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Pepe (Udinese), Quagliarella (Napoli), Rossi (Villarreal), Toni (B. Munich).