After Italy's victory in Georgia, Sampdoria midfielder Angelo Palomba admitted he'd welcome the return to the Azzurri of teammate Antonio Cassano.

He said: "I don't know how it will end as I am not the Coach. I can only speak highly of Antonio, as he is my teammate and I see what he does every day."

"He's fantastic, but the decisions are not made by myself, the media or the fans, only by the Coach."