Lippi calls up eight uncapped players to Italy squad

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has named eight uncapped players in his squad for the friendly against Northern Ireland.

There are Italy call-ups for Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, Lecce defender Andrea Esposito, Palermo’s Mattia Cassani and Inter 18-year-old Davide Santon.

Other new faces are Catania stars Marco Biagianti and Mascara, Daniele Galloppa of Siena and Chievo hitman Sergio Pellissier.

Lippi also named 13 of the players he will take to South Africa for the Confederations Cup and the remaining 10 will be added from those in the Northern Ireland game.

Italy squad to face Northern Ireland on June 6:

Goalkeepers: De Sanctis (Galatasaray), Marchetti (Cagliari);

Defenders: Cassani (Palermo), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Grosso (Olympique Lyonnais), Esposito (Lecce), Legrottaglie (Juventus), Santon (Inter);

Midfielders: Biagianti (Catania), Brighi (Roma), D’Agostino (Udinese), Galloppa (Siena), Gattuso (Milan), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Palombo (Sampdoria);

Forwards: Foggia (Lazio), Mascara (Catania), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Pellissier (Chievo), Rossi (Villarreal).

Players confirmed for the Confederations Cup:

Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo);

Defenders: Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Chiellini (Juventus), Zambrotta (Milan);

Midfielders: Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Pepe (Udinese), Pirlo (Milan);

Forwards: Gilardino (Fiorentina), Iaquinta (Juventus), Quagliarella (Udinese), Toni (Bayern Munich).