Santon is expected to line up at right-back, with World Cup hero Fabio Grosso on the other defensive flank.

BBC: Four debutants in N Ireland team

The Italians began to take control midway through the half with Fabio Grosso a major threat on the left.

BBC: Rep of Ireland 2-2 Italy

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni had chosen Panucci ahead of Massimo Oddo at right-back and Gianluca Zambrotta instead of Fabio Grosso on the left.

BBC: Scotland 1-2 Italy

Italy had almost grabbed the lead after 26 minutes when Fabio Grosso found Corradi with a cross from the left but the header went wide.

BBC: NI beaten by Italy

Fabio Grosso and Mauro Camoranesi scored their penalties for Italy who won a shoot out to beat France in the final of the 2006 World Cup.

CNN: Spain beat Italy in Euro penalty shoot out

So Hodgson will have been especially disappointed to see them concede again, from another corner, in first-half injury time after Schwarzer had done brilliantly to turn away Fabio Grosso's shot.

BBC: Juventus 3-1 Fulham

Italy also had an inexperienced line-up with Gennaro Gattuso and Fabio Grosso the only survivors from the 2006 World Cup final win over France for the game played in front of only 8, 000 spectators.

BBC: Italy 3-0 Northern Ireland

Left-back Fabio Grosso, who netted the winning penalty in the 2006 World Cup final against France, scored a classy opener against the Bulgarians while his Juve team-mate Claudio Marchisio did well on the left midfield flank.

BBC: Lawrence gets start for Republic