WITH LONG-TERM injuries to Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi likely to preclude their participation in this summer’s European Championships, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has turned his attention to the search for replacements.

Somewhat inevitably, the possible selection currently generating the most interest is that of Roma talisman Francesco Totti.

Prandelli told Rai TV:

“I will evaluate the physical condition of the players at the end of the season…

“We began the campaign with a project and if there are players with great character in good shape then they will be taken into consideration.

“Does that include Totti? Why not, if he’s in good shape.”

The 35-year-old hasn’t played for the national side since the final of the 2006 World Cup, but has scored four times for the Giallorossi this season, including a brace in the side’s 5-1 defeat of Cesena on Saturday.

The second of the goals, his 211th for the club, saw Totti eclipse Gunnar Nordahl as the most prolific scorer for a single Serie A club.

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