“In all honesty, I do spare a thought for the Nazionale,” grinned the 32-year-old who has scored 19 goals for Bologna this season.

“Many people have talked to me about it. I hope the call can come, as it would be a source of pride for me and the team.

“Having said that, I realise I am 32 and in past seasons I didn’t do terribly well. In those years [Marcello] Lippi constructed a winning group of players it is difficult to break in to.

“What I have done up until now probably isn’t sufficient, as I’ll need to do well right to the end of the term.”

If he scores this weekend against Cagliari, Di Vaio will equal his personal best of 20 goals set with Parma in 2001-02.

It is a remarkable turnaround for a player who last season got just three in 22 appearances for Genoa.