Italy coach Antonio Conte has claimed that Mario Balotelli needs time to adapt at Liverpool before he is considered again for selection by the national team.
The 26-year-old has been left out of the Azzurri's last two squads following a difficult start to his career on Merseyside.
Despite Balotelli's absence from the national team for their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers, Conte has not ruled out a return for the forward.
"Mario has started a new path," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool.
"We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad. I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different."
Balotelli has scored one goal in eight games for Liverpool since joining the club from AC Milan in the summer.
