Luca Toni criticises Cesare Prandelli's World Cup squad

Luca Toni has criticised the decisions made by Italy's head coach Cesare Prandelli following the confirmation of his World Cup squad.

The Hellas Verona forward had been linked with a recall to the team after scoring 21 goals this season, but he believes that a poorer choice was to leave fellow striker Alberto Gilardino out of the squad.

"Prandelli made some choices I did not expect," Toni told Verona's official website.

"My absence was already expected, I was not part of the team during World Cup qualifying but I am surprised by Alberto Gilardino's exclusion."

Toni was a member of the squad which won the 2006 tournament in Germany.