Italy coach Marcello Lippi has called up Fabio Quagliarella to replace the suspended Luca Toni in his squad for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Montenegro.
Toni picked up a yellow card after coming on as a substitute in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Bulgaria, which rules him out of the midweek fixture in Lecce.
Quagliarella, 25, has scored three goals in six appearances for Udinese this season and has made nine appearances for the Azzurri, scoring three times.
The former Sampdoria striker is unlikely to start against Montenegro, however, with Alberto Gilardino set to get the nod.
Lippi also has injury concerns, with midfielder Daniele De Rossi suffering from a bruised thigh and Gennaro Gattuso struggling with a knee problem.
The coach is already without Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Mauro Camoranesi, Fabio Grosso, Marco Materazzi and Vincenzo Iaquinta as Italy look to extend their unbeaten start in Group Eight.
Quagliarella, 25, has scored three goals in six appearances for Udinese this season and has made nine appearances for the Azzurri, scoring three times.
The former Sampdoria striker is unlikely to start against Montenegro, however, with Alberto Gilardino set to get the nod.
Lippi also has injury concerns, with midfielder Daniele De Rossi suffering from a bruised thigh and Gennaro Gattuso struggling with a knee problem.
The coach is already without Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, Mauro Camoranesi, Fabio Grosso, Marco Materazzi and Vincenzo Iaquinta as Italy look to extend their unbeaten start in Group Eight.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Aussie young gun nets winner for Italy at Euros U19s
PUMA release commemorative Italian 'renaissance' kit
