Former Roma star Antonio Cassano has called on Italy coach Roberto Mancini to recall Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli is currently playing in Switzerland with Sion.

Cassano said, "I am convinced that he is strong. If you tell me who is the strongest Italian striker there is, I will answer Balotelli.

"(Ciro) Immobile? Playing football does not only mean scoring. Balotelli, in his madness, he is more technical and stronger than him. I would call him to the national team.

"I know him well, he is a decent boy. Not having the head means leading a wrong life and he is not like that. He ended up at Sion because he upsets people and because he was less talented than me.

"He's very strong. If he finds the right environment, with the right coach who understands that he knows he can fight with him, then he can get back on top. If they label you it's hard.

"If he could find Fiorentina on duty, who play beautiful football and need a striker, in an environment like that, I'd take him straight away."