Italy coach Cesare Prandelli hinted at fielding the untried strike partnership of Mario Balotelli and Ciro Immobile as the Azzurri seek a draw against Uruguay that would send them into the World Cup knock-out rounds.

Italy need just a point against the South Americans in Natal to avoid suffering a second successive first round heartbreak four years after their elimination as defending champions in South Africa.

Balotelli headed Italy's winner in the 2-1 defeat of England but the AC Milan striker was ineffective during a shock 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica.

Immobile stamped his ticket to Brazil after finishing as Serie A's top scorer on 22 goals last season, a feat that sealed his recent move from Torino to Borussia Dortmund.

He made his World Cup debut when he replaced Balotelli 73 minutes into their Group D opener in Manaus.

Although the pair have yet to play together in a competitive match, Prandelli hinted that 24-year-old Immobile could help counterbalance the threat posed by Uruguay's Luiz Suarez and Edinson Cavani, "one of the strongest strike partnerships at the World Cup", according to the Italy handler.

"He's a modern day striker, he likes to play deep, he knows how to play behind the defence and in the penalty area he has a keen eye for goal. He's very useful to the team," Prandelli said of Immobile.

"All top strikers need these characteristics. If you don't have them all, you're not a complete striker. He is a player with great potential."

With Costa Rica already through and England eliminated by the Italians' defeat to the central Americans in Recife, Italy and Uruguay -- who both have three points -- have been left to battle for the second qualifying spot.

Uruguay's inferior goal difference means they have to win if they are to have a chance of repeating their exploits of 2010 when coach Oscar Tabarez steered the two-time champions to their first semi-finals appearance in 40 years.

But while the 'Celeste' are hoping to pounce on the weaknesses made apparent in Italy's lifeless display against Costa Rica, Prandelli insisted their heat-induced fatigue is no longer an issue.

"It's already a difficult match that has been made harder by the fact it's make or break for both teams," said Prandelli.

"But we are still in the competition and we're feeling positive. Physically, we've recovered from our previous games so fatigue is no longer a problem.

"We're concentrated on this match and we're determined to win it."

Uruguay are still riding a wave of optimism caused by their win over England thanks to a Suarez double.

The Liverpool striker said Monday: "We expect Italy to be tough opponents, but we know what's at stake and we are going out there to qualify."

Prandelli called on his defence to limit the potent Suarez-Cavani tandem's opportunities.

"They're one of the strongest strike partnerships at the World Cup. Both of them are modern-day strikers and few players have their attacking abilities," added Prandelli.

"They both have a keen eye for goal so we have to do our best to make sure we don't offer them too many opportunities."

If Italy fail to get the point that secures passage to the second round, veteran Andrea Pirlo would be left with a nasty taste in what would then be his final Italy game.

Pirlo is set to retire from international football after the World Cup and the Juventus midfielder said: "Obviously it would be a huge disappointment for me and the whole squad if we didn't go through to the second round.

"But we can win this game. We won't be going out there looking to draw."