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Donadoni 'needs' champions back

Roberto Donadoni is hoping to recall more World Cup winners for Italy's next game.

Roberto Donadoni is hoping to recall more World Cup winners for Italy's next Euro 2008 qualifier.

The Azzurri have made a terrible start to their qualifying campaign, dropping two points against Lithuania and then losing 3-1 to France.

Donadoni's job is already under threat, but he is confident that his side will be much stronger when they take on Ukraine and Georgia next month.

"Italy now need their champions and I trust that two or three of them will be at my disposal in October," said the former Milan winger.

Donadoni is even set to turn to Francesco Totti, who had been reported as saying that he did not wish to return to the national team until next year.

"As for Totti, I know he last said he would not return until next year, but that is not what he had told me. We agreed to speak every once in a while to assess his physical condition," he explained.

"I will call him, as I will do with the other world champions who were not in Paris. I don't want all the attention focused on Totti, but Italy now really need him."

Donadoni is also expected to recall Luca Toni and Alessandro Del Piero.