Antonio Conte: 'Mario Balotelli needs time before international recall'

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.