Cesare Prandelli almost left out Mario Balotelli

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has revealed that he came close to leaving Mario Balotelli out of his squad for their upcoming World Cup qualification matches.

The Manchester City striker angered his national team boss when he decided to have eye surgery before the last two qualifiers, leading to suggestions that he would be left out of the latest squad.

However, Prandelli told reporters: "I thought of the games he has played for his country and I was comforted."

Balotelli starred for Italy at Euro 2012.