Milan - AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli was snubbed as Italy coach Antonio Conte revealed a 27-man squad for the Azzurri's final Euro 2016 qualifiers away to Azerbaijan and at home to Norway.
Balotelli returned to seven-time European champions Milan on loan from Liverpool this summer in a bid to
But the Italian has started only two games for Milan this season, hitting his first goal in a 3-2 win over Udinese a fortnight ago.
Balotelli has not trained with Milan this week as he recovers from a slight muscle
Italy coach Conte instead handed Domenico Berardi of Sassuolo his first call-up to the Italy set-up, which also welcomes the return of Riccardo Montolivo following the Milan midfielder's recent recovery from a lengthy injury problem.
Among the absentees from Conte's squad is Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who will sit out a two-game ban following his expulsion against Bulgaria.
Italy were beaten finalists at Euro
Italy
Conte's side can secure their ticket to the Euro 2016 finals in France with
Azerbaijan
Italy host Norway in Rome's Stadio Olimpico three days later in their final qualifier.