Sorrentino eyes Italy call-up

Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino has vowed to convince Cesare Prandelli he is worth an international call-up.

Chievo keeper set sights on earning Azzurri bow

Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino has vowed to convince Cesare Prandelli he is worth an international call-up.

Sorrentino was in superb form last season and had hoped to be given a chance to impress by the new Italy coach while first-choice keeper Gianluigi Buffon is sidelined following back surgery.

Prandelli has decided to put his faith in two younger keepers, though, namely Emiliano Viviano of Bologna and Palermo's Salvatore Sirigu.

But Sorrentino, 31, is determined to show he is not too old to make his international debut too.

Competition

"Many keepers have had a chance, even if the best right now are Marco Storari (Juventus) and Michael Agazzi (Cagliari)," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I must batten down the hatches if I am to make him change his mind."

Sorrentino spent the 2008/09 season on loan at Chievo from AEK Athens before joining them on a permanent basis at the end of the campaign.

The former Torino keeper helped the Flying Donkeys to a 14th-placed finish last term and has been an ever-present in the Serie A so far this season.

Chievo currently lie ninth after winning five of their opening 13 games and Sorrentino admitted he may agree a new deal with the Verona-based outfit beyond 2012.

"I'll perhaps renew my contract with Chievo," he added. "It expires in 2012.

"(Sports director Giovanni) Sartori and (president Luca) Campedelli have been great and Verona is my home."