Angelo Ogbonna has been named in Italy’s provisional 30-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016.
The West Ham United centre-half has impressed at a pre-tournament camp in Coverciano and is one of just six out-and-out defenders named in Antonio Conte’s provisional squad.
The Azzurri will continue to train at the Italian Football Federation’s headquarters until Saturday, when they will make the short flight to Malta to take on Scotland in a friendly at Ta’Qali National Stadium on Sunday at 8.45pm CEST.
On Tuesday 31 May, future Chelsea manager Conte will then name his final 23-man squad for the European Championship finals in France.
Should Ogbonna be picked, he will then hope to feature in Italy’s final warm-up fixture against Finland in Verona on Monday 6 June at 8.45pm CEST.
The 28-year-old defender has earned ten senior caps since making his debut in a 2-0 win over Poland in November 2011, the last of which came in a 1-0 Euro 2016 win in Malta in October 2014.
Ogbonna was part of the Italy squad that finished as runners-up at Euro 2012, but did not feature at the tournament.
The No21 enjoyed a fine debut season with the Hammers after joining from Italian champions Juventus in July 2015, making 33 appearances and scoring a memorable last-minute winner against Liverpool in an Emirates FA Cup fourth-round replay.