Prandelli summoned the duo after losing striker Alberto Gilardino with a calf injury and full-back Luca Antonelli to a toe problem.

Stuttgart defender Molinaro returns to the squad in place of Antonelli, while 33-year-old Lazio captain Rocchi will provide options in a forward line lacking Gilardino's class and Mario Balotelli's pace.

"Gilardino has had a muscle problem in the tendon of his left soleus (calf)," team doctor Enrico Castellacci revealed.

"It is not a serious injury, but he will not recover for these two games and therefore will return home.

"It should take a fortnight for him to recover, but I will leave that to Fiorentina.

"Antonelli is suffering from bruising to the second toe of his left foot. It is quite painful so he will miss these two games."

Italy top Group C after they won their opening two qualifiers against Estonia and Faroe Islands.

The Azzurri face Northern Ireland in Belfast on Friday before hosting Serbia, second in the group, in Genoa next Tuesday.

Veteran Gianluca Zambrotta was a surprise selection when Prandelli announced his squad yesterday, with the full-back not expected to add to his 97 caps after the Azzurri's forgettable World Cup.

But with Lorenzo De Silvestri and Davide Santon instead selected in the under-21 party, Prandelli opted for experience and called once more on the AC Milan defender.

"Zambrotta is physically very well and can play both right and left," he added.

"There are some young players who will be exciting in these positions in the future. For the moment instead of calling on players between the age of 28 and 30 I thought I would bank on a player with great experience and value."