Cagliari midfielder Andrea Cossu, Bari defender Leonardo Bonucci and Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu received their first Italy call-ups yesterday for Wednesday's friendly with Cameroon.

Coach Marcello Lippi has dropped Fabio Grosso after the left-back lost his place in the Juventus team while there is no recall for Milan defender Alessandro Nesta despite speculation he may come out of international retirement.

Roma striker Francesco Totti has also indicated he is willing to return to the Azzurri for June's World Cup but his continued fitness problems mean he is yet to be included, with injured team-mate Luca Toni missing out too.

The game against Cameroon in Monaco is the first of three friendlies for Italy before they begin the defence of their title in S. Africa.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is injured so Sirigu comes into the squad while Milan striker Marco Borriello returns to the Italy ranks for the first time since Euro 2008, given Alberto Gilardino and Vincenzo Iaquinta are ruled out.

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: De Sanctis (Napoli), Marchetti (Cagliari), Sirigu (Palermo).

Defenders: Bonera (Milan), Bonucci (Bari), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Cannavaro (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Maggio (Napoli), Criscito (Genoa).

Midfielders: Pepe (Udinese), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan), Marchisio (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Cossu (Cagliari).

Forwards: Borriello (Milan), Di Natale (Udinese), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Quagliarella (Napoli).

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