Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano has pleaded with Italy coach Marcello Lippi to call him up.

"I would be very happy to go to the Confederations Cup, even as the 23rd man, a left-back or a right-back," he told Sky Italia television.

"I respect Lippi and have never had a problem with him. I am pleased with what I have done with Sampdoria and if Lippi wants to call me, then I'll be even happier.

"If he doesn't call me then I won't speak ill of him, because when I have something to say, I do it face to face."

The fiery striker has even calmed his notorious 'Cassanate' by avoiding tantrums or rows this season.

"It has been a very positive campaign for me and the team. We reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, did fairly well in Serie A and lost the Coppa Italia Final only on penalties.

"I consider myself lucky for the way my career has gone the past two years. You can't win big trophies here, but this is real football."