21.03.2015 22:16 h

Eder, Vazquez in as Conte names new-look Italy

Italy coach Antonio Conte widened his scope for future Azzurri talent by including Argentinian-born Franco Vazquez and Brazilian Martins Eder in a 26-man squad for upcoming games against Bulgaria and England.

Italy face Bulgaria in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Sofia on March 28 before hosting England in a friendly in Turin three days later.

Striker Vazquez, who has played in Italy since 2007, has come into contention thanks to some promising displays for Palermo in Italy's Serie A this season.

Eder has played in Italy since 2006 and is currently a striker for high-flying Sampdoria.

Both players have Italian nationality and, along with Empoli midfielder Mirko Valdifiori, are the only new faces in the Italy squad as they look to rebuild following a second consecutive first round exit from the World Cup.

Among the notable absentees was Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who is recovering from injury, and Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi.

The Italy squad will meet on March 22 for a training camp ahead of their trip to Bulgaria for next weekend's qualifier.

Italy squad for upcoming games:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain/FRA)

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Emiliano Moretti (Torino), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Luca Antonelli (AC Milan), Andrea Bertolacci (Genoa), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Alessio Cerci (AC Milan), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Manuel Pasqual (Fiorentina), Roberto Soriano (Sampdoria), Mirko Valdifiori (Empoli), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain/FRA)

Strikers: Martins Eder (Sampdoria), Manolo Gabbiadini (Napoli), Ciro Immobile (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Graziano Pelle (Southampton/ENG), Damian Vazquez (Palermo), Simone Zaza (Sassuolo)