Italy midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini has said that Mario Balotelli still has a part to play in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign despite not being included in manager Antonio Conte's first squad.
Balotelli, who joined Liverpool from AC Milan last month, was left out of the 27-man squad for the 2-0 friendly win over Netherlands on Thursday.
"That decision was down to the coach," the Sunderland winger told reporters. "Mario is a great player who can be of use to the Nazionale in future, even though he has a few defects.
"There's nothing to say he won't be here next time."
Balotelli made his Liverpool debut in their 3-0 victory away at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.