Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino has been brought back into the Italy squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Slovenia.

Gilardino, still being linked with a move away from Florence this summer, was left out of the group for the friendly against Spain earlier this month but is in the 24-man squad called up by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli for the upcoming qualifiers.

Italian media reported yesterday that Palermo were the latest club to show interest in Gilardino but many believe that should he decide to move Genoa will be his likely destination.

The Azzurri are without Juventus striker Alessandro Matri, who is out injured.

But Cagliari defender Davide Astori returns to the fold as Antonio Cassano and Sebastian Giovinco retain their places in the squad.

Prandelli has picked four players who play outside Italy, including Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli.

Italy play away at the Faroe Islands on Friday before hosting Slovenia five days later in Florence.

The Azzurri top Group C and are unbeaten in qualifying.

There are only two games left in the group phase after next month’s double header as Italy travel to to Serbia on October 7 before rounding up the group with a home match against Northern Ireland on October 11.

The squad
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Sirigu (Paris St Germain), De Sanctis (Napoli).
Defenders: Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Bonucci (Juve­), Cassani (Fiorentina), Chiellini (Juve), Criscito (Zenit SP), Maggio (Napoli), Ranocchia (Inter).
Midfielders: Aquilani (Milan), De Rossi (Roma), Marchisio (Juve), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Motta (Inter), Nocerino (Palermo), Pirlo (Juve).
Forwards: Balotelli (Man. City), Cassano (Milan), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giovinco (Parma), Pazzini (Inter), Rossi (Villarreal).