Roberto Mancini has named Nice striker Mario Balotelli in his first Italy squad.
Balotelli last featured for the Azzurri during the 2014 World Cup but has been handed a route back to the national team for their upcoming friendlies.
Mancini will kicks off his reign as Italy boss against Saudi Arabia at the end of the month before facing France and Holland at the start of June.
The 53-year-old worked with Balotelli during a three-year stint at Manchester City, arguably producing some of the best displays of the striker’s career.
Previous Italy managers Antonio Conte and Giampiero Ventura opted against using Balotelli in the last four years but Mancini is keen to work with the controversial striker once again.
Balotelli is widely expected to join Marseille this summer after enjoying an impressive final season for Nice, finishing the campaign with the best return of his career (18 goals).
No Ligue 1 player scored more penalties than Balotelli this season (6), while only Edinson Cavani (56) hit the target more often than the former City striker (52).
