SOCCER: AMAURI STILL IN THE RECKONING SAYS LIPPI

SOCCER: AMAURI STILL IN THE RECKONING SAYS LIPPI

(ANSA) - Cesena, November 18 - Juventus's Brazilian striker Amauri still has a shot at making Italy's World Cup squad, coach Marcello Lippi said Wednesday.

Amauri, 29, recently confirmed his interest in an Italy berth once he becomes an Italian citizen in March.

"I still have to complete the squad and I see no reason not to look at players I haven't been able to consider for one reason or another," Lippi told Italian state TV.

There had been speculation Lippi might be rethinking the Amauri option because of public opposition from several squad members, most recently in-form Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini.

But Lippi downplayed Pazzini's criticism of Amauri as having "nothing Italian in him".

"He was simply stating the obvious: today he's Brazilian and when he's Italian we can talk about the issue again".

Amauri's Brazilian wife Cynthia became a citizen last March, allowing him to make the same move a year later.

His chances of inclusion in Brazil's squad were scotched when he failed to answer a call-up for a friendly against Italy in February.

At the time, World Cup heroes Luca Toni and Gennaro Gattuso were among those saying Amauri should choose Brazil.

Amauri reponded by saying he ''couldn't care less what Gattuso thinks''.

The ex-Palermo striker has scored 16 goals for Juve since his 15-million-euro summer move to Turin in June 2008.

His personal record 15 goals for Palermo last year helped seal the Juve deal.

The Brazilian striker struggled to hit form at the start of the season but has since hit his stride, helping Juve to stay in touch with Inter Milan at the top of Serie A.

He currently lies joint fifth in the marksmen's standings with four goals, three behind Pazzini and five short of Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale.

Lippi was speaking ahead of Wednesday's friendly with Sweden in Cesena, a second opportunity for Lippi to test youngsters to add to the World Cup winning veterans.

So far Livorno's 22-year-old midfielder Antonio Candreva appears to have staked the strongest claim.

He has been confirmed for the Sweden match after doing well in Saturday's 0-0 draw with the Netherlands.

The only other player kept in the team is Juve central defender Giorgio Chiellini.