Southampton striker Graziano Pelle has claimed that he deserves a call-up to the Italy squad for next month's international fixtures.
The 29-year-old, who scored 50 league goals during two seasons with Feyenoord, has already struck four times in the Premier League for his new club this season.
The powerful forward has not yet been capped by his country, but it is understood that Italy boss Antonio Conte is considering the experienced striker for his next squad.
"I believe in myself. If I was not even inside a small thought of [Conte] it would be strange. I'm doing well and I know by myself when I deserve something, when not," Pelle told the Southampton Echo.
"I deserve to be considered in the national team at this moment, but I don't pretend to be selected. There are other players that deserve like I do.
"At the end of the list it is only five offensive players that will be in the selection, and to be in the five in all of Italy is not easy. We know how many good players Italy has. I'm just happy with what I'm doing and until now, for nine years after I was an Under-21, I've never been in the national team."
Italy face Azerbaijan and Malta in their two Euro 2016 qualifiers next month.
Matt Law
