Italy coach Marcello Lippi has told Cagliari midfielder Andrea Cossu he's in his thoughts for the World Cup.

Cossu made his Azzurri debut in the 0-0 friendly against Cameroon this week.

"He could have the same duties as Mauro Camoranesi," said Lippi.

"I need someone who can hold that position, get past his man and put some through balls in for the strikers. These are all things Cossu knows how to do.

"At Cagliari Cossu also starts out wide and then cuts in very well. It is what I asked him to do and he worked very intelligently once he overcame the initial nerves of the occasion."