Italy recall Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi for qualifiers

Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi has been recalled to the Italy squad for their World Cup qualifying games against Denmark and Armenia.

Cesare Prandelli's team have already booked their place at Brazil 2014, but Rossi could make a first international appearance since October 2011.

Rossi, 26, has marked his return from a long injury lay-off with six goals in seven games for Fiorentina this season.

Italy play Denmark away on Friday and host Armenia four days later.

Roma full-back Federico Balzaretti returns to the squad for the first time since November 2012, while Sunderland winger Emanuele Giaccherini and Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo are also included

Striker Mario Balotelli is also in the squad, despite being given a three-match ban for insulting the referee during AC Milan's recent defeat by Napoli.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will pass Fabio Cannavaro's all-time appearance record should he earn a 137th cap in either match.

Italy squad:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain).

Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Davide Astori (Cagliari), Federico Balzaretti (Roma), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Lorenzo De Silvestri (Sampdoria), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan).

Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Andrea Poli (AC Milan), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain).

Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Alberto Gilardino (Bologna), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Pablo Osvaldo (Southampton), Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina).