Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco recalled to Italy squad after 3-year absence

Italy manager Roberto Mancini named his squad for the upcoming clashes against Ukraine and Poland on Friday.

Perhaps the biggest news from the announcement was the inclusion of 31-year-old Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco, recalled after three years away from the national team.

Giovinco has starred for the MLS franchise over the last four years since a January 2015 move from Juventus, registering 82 goals and 50 assists in 139 games in all competitions for The Reds.

Despite sporadically suffering from injuries throughout his time in Canada, Giovinco has played close to 3,000 minutes in 2018. He has 23 caps and one goal for the Azzurri at the senior level, but he hasn't played for his country since a 28-minute cameo against Norway in October 2015.

Elsewhere, AC Milan striker Patrick Cutrone has been reinstated to the squad after his Europa League brace against Olympiacos on Thursday. Nice's Mario Balotelli, yet to find the net in France this season, misses out.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti returns to the fold, while Sampdoria winger Gianluca Caprari has been handed a first-ever call-up.