AC Milan striker Alessandro Matri has admitted that a return to the San Siro this season has been partly motivated by his desire to earn an international recall.
Matri last played for Italy more than 12 months ago, finding first-team opportunities increasingly difficult to come by at Juventus last season.
The striker has conceded that his future with the Azzurri was a factor as he pondered his Juve exit in August, before eventually deciding to rejoin Milan in a £9m deal.
He told Forza Milan: "Apart from wanting to return to Milan, I left Turin because I wanted to play more and try to win a place back in the Italy squad."
The 29-year-old has found life difficult at Milan so far this season, failing to score in eight appearances for the Rossoneri.