Chiesa back in Italy squad for Northern Ireland play-off

Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa returns to the Italy squad after a two-year absence for the World Cup play-off against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday (19:45 GMT).

The 28-year-old's last international appearance came in the Euro 2024 last-16 encounter against Switzerland.

Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso has named his 28-man squad for the match, with the winners travelling to face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later for a spot in this summer's World Cup finals.

There's no place in the squad for Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, while Cagliari defender Marco Palestra gets a first senior call-up.

Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli and Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini are also back in the fold for the first time in two years.

The four-time winners are bidding to make a World Cup return after failing to qualify for the past two tournaments.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill named his squad on Monday, with Sunderland defender Dan Ballard included despite a hamstring issue.

Italy squad:

Goalkeepers: Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli).

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Marco Palestra (Cagliari), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli).

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolo Pisilli (Roma), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).

Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter Milan), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).