International friendly preview: England v Italy

England’s international friendly against Italy will be a preview for the 2014 World Cup with both sides naming youthful squads for the clash.

The two teams last met in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 with England losing 4-2 on penalties after scores were tied 0-0 at full-time.

Italy went on to lose 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final to Spain, but both nations will be showing off very different sides in Wednesday’s friendly in Switzerland.

Player commitments to Italian clubs Juventus and Napoli for Sunday’s Supercoppa match in Beijing has led Italy to naming eight uncapped players in their squad.

Additions to the side include teenagers Mattia De Sciglio, Mattia Perin, AC Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy as well as 20-year-old Manolo Gabbiadini and Andrea Poli, 22.

Defender Federico Peluso and goalkeeper Andrea Consigli are also in line to collect their first caps.

England too will be without captain Steven Gerrard, Wane Rooney and Ashley Cole and Roy Hodgson has elected to leave John Terry out of the squad.

The English line-up will consist of 10 players from the Euro 2012 campaign and five members from Stuart Pearce’s Olympic squad.

Michael Carrick, 31, has not played for the national side since 2010 but has earned a recall for the Italy clash.

Other notable inclusions are Jake Livermore, Ryan Bertrand, Steven Caulker and Tom Cleverley.

Frank Lampard has been recalled for the match after missing the recent Euro tournament with injury.

The English squad includes six uncapped players, and it is this inexperience which suggests Hodgson is already making preparations for the upcoming World Cup.

Italy has won two of the past four meetings between the sides, with England winning one and the other result ending in a draw.

The match is scheduled three days before the start of the English Premier League season but players are almost certain to back up for their clubs.