Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli is a big part of his World Cup plans.

Prandelli says Balotelli is among his first-choices.

"A World Cup without Mario is absolutely unthinkable," he told reporters. "I'm convinced that from now on he will not do anything out of the ordinary and will be completely prepared for the tournament.

"Mario has to break away from his problems and try to get out of these difficulties."

 For breaking stories and all the great banter like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tribalfootball