Team News: Mario Balotelli returns for Italy

Mario Balotelli has recovered from flu and has been handed a role in the Italy starting lineup for this evening's World Cup qualifier against Denmark.

The Manchester City frontman will partner Pablo Osvaldo in attack, while Gianluigi Buffon has failed to recover from a thigh problem.

That means that Morgan De Sanctis will keep goal for the home side.

Meanwhile, Nicklas Bendtner will play as a lone striker for visiting Denmark.

Italy: De Sanctis; Chiellini, Balzaretti, Abate, Barzagli; Marchisio, De Rossi, Montolivo, Pirlo; Balotelli, Osvaldo

Denmark: Andersen; Kjaer, Agger, Jacobsen, Stokholm; Kvist, Eriksen, Silberbauer, Krohn-Delhi, Rommedahl; Bendtner