Returning Italy national team coach Marcello Lippi has revealed that he will call up “several” Juventus players for next week’s friendly against Austria.

Lippi famously led the Azzurri to World Cup glory in Germany in 2006, and just over two years later the tactician has returned to his old job, replacing Roberto Donadoni after the Euro 2008 disappointment.

The 60-year-old’s first game back in charge is a friendly against Austria in Nice next Wednesday, and he will tomorrow name his squad for the clash.

Lippi has already confirmed that Liverpool’s Andrea Dossena will be selected, and he has now revealed that “several” Juventus will also get the nod, following the Bianconeri’s impressive 4-0 Champions League win over Artmedia earlier this week.

“They made an excellent impression,” Lippi told La Stampa.

“They are a very compact team. Several players will be called.”

In a separate interview, the Paul Newman look-alike also praised opponents Austria, and their new Czech coach Karel Bruckner.

"Austria was very unlucky at Euro 2008,” he is quoted as saying by the Austrian Times.

“The team deserved more. It played fantastic football - all that was missing was good results.

“I never thought that Austria would play such great football against Croatia and Poland. This is an honest compliment. I don’t need to make anything up.

"I admire Bruckner, he is an outstanding personality.

"It won't be an easy game for us. I will demand that my players be absolutely focused."

Latest reports in the peninsula suggest that Fiorentina’s Alberto Gilardino will receive a recall, following several months in the wilderness, while Inter wonderkid Mario Balotelli may get his first call.