Italy manager Ventura leaves door open for Balotelli return

Italy manager Giampiero Ventura hopes to speak with Mario Balotelli ahead of the Azzurri's next World Cup qualifier in March before deciding whether to recall the controversial forward.

After overlooking the former Manchester City and AC Milan forward during the Italy's World Cup qualifiers in October and November, Balotelli's blistering start to life in France with Nice appears to have finally caught Ventura's attention after the Italian gaffer hinted at a possible return to the national team.

"Balotelli's not a player for a training camp - we're talking about a player who has played in a World Cup," Ventura said at a new conference Thursday, as translated by Ben Gladwell of ESPNFC.

"I want to talk to him. Between now and March I will have the time to go and see him personally. Once he's worked on himself, he will be considered like everybody else."

Despite finding the back of the net six times in six Ligue 1 matches, Balotelli found himself on the outside looking in when Ventura named his most recent squad ahead of Italy's victory over Liechtenstein.

Balotelli last appeared on the international stage in a 1-0 loss to Uruguay during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ventura will have the opportunity to take a long look at Balotelli before making the decision whether to award the player a call-up, as Italy's next qualifier isn't until March 24 against Albania.

Despite being tied on points (10) through four matches, Ventura's squad currently sits in second place behind Spain in Group G.