[Azzurri] Gilardino leads list of Lippi recalls

Marcello Lippi has recalled some familiar names in his first squad since returning as Italy coach, with Alberto Gilardino among the players selected for Wednesday's friendly against Austria in Nice.

Fiorentina forward Gilardino is one of six players back in the reckoning after missing out on Euro 2008 as Lippi unveiled his first party since his reappointment as Azzurri coach this summer.

Vincenzo Iaquinta, Daniele Bonera, Marco Cassetti, Andrea Dossena and Angelo Palombo complete the sextet, with Christian Panucci and Antonio Cassano the most notable absentees.

Luca Toni and Marco Materazzi are both out injured, while Riccardo Montolivo is on Olympic duty in Beijing.

The 60-year-old Lippi, who stepped down after winning the FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2006, will hold his first training session since then on Monday in Coverciano.

The squad will leave for France on Tuesday night ahead of Wednesday's friendly against the Euro 2008 co-hosts at the Stade du Ray at 1945 UK time (+1hr for Italy/CET).

Italy squad
Goalkeepers: Marco Amelia (Palermo), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus).
Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Wolfsburg), Daniele Bonera (Milan), Marco Cassetti (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Andrea Dossena (Liverpool), Fabio Grosso (Lyon), Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan).
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Perrotta (Roma), Andrea Pirlo (Milan).
Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus).

Source: UEFA