Inter Milan attacker Antonio Cassano has not featured for the Italian national team for more than a year now. His last appearance in the blue of Italy was back in the Euro 2012. Cassano was an important part of the Italian team during the two years from 2010 to 2012. However, he appears to have fallen out with manager Cesare Prandelli due to various reasons including poor form. The manager, though, has confirmed that Cassano still remains part of its plans and he is expecting the striker to return to the national team duty sooner rather than later.

The 31-year-old has featured for the national team on 35 occasions and has 10 goals from these matches. However, the impressive form of AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli and the presence of youngster Stephan El Shaarawy is working together to keep Cassano off the Italian squad. Prandelli also said that he expects Juventus to once again be at the forefront of the Italian league this season. Under the management of Antonio Conte, Juventus have won the league title twice in succession. Despite this, they have strengthened substantially in the summer.

Prandelli also expects a good challenge from Napoli, who have had a change in management and sale of key players.

“We are constantly keeping Cassano under observation. He has to show his qualities and, above all, prove that he is calm. I’m curious to see Napoli, a club who have bought with intelligence this summer. Juventus have an extraordinary Coach in Antonio Conte and they have reinforced even further on the transfer market. Inter, meanwhile, can do well under Walter Mazzarri because he gets his teams to play good football and he always transmits character to his sides,” said Prandelli.

After moving to Inter Milan last season, Cassano scored five goals in 14 appearances for the team.