Lazio striker, Alessandro Matri, is targeting a return to the Azzurri squad after the side stamped their tickets to next summer's European Championships in France.
The forward joined the Biancocelesti on loan on deadline day after spending the second-half of last term aiding Juventus' quest for the treble.
Matri, however, who has been sidelined with an injury since Lazio's 5-0 humbling at Napoli, believes a return to the national side is not out of the picture.
Determined to prove himself
"I'm ready to start again," Matri told Premium Sport. “For the last two weeks I’ve been training with the squad. I know I’m here on loan, and I want to prove myself and do well."
The forward struck twice against Udinese on his league debut for Stefano Pioli's side and, while offering his congratulations to the national side, is determined to work himself into Antonio Conte's plans ahead of next summer.
Believes Juventus will return
Matri also offered his two cents on the Scudetto race and the forward believes that Juventus will "climb back up again" and "be there [at the top] until the end."
He also suspects that his parent club, Milan, whom he has featured 15 times for and netted only once, will rise from their slumber once domestic action resumes, assuring supporters that Sinisa Mihajlovic is "working well" and will require "time to impose his ideas."
De Vrij set for operation
Stefan de Vrij, meanwhile, is expected to undergo an operation on his knee correct a recurring problem, according to LaLazioSiamoNoi.
The Dutch defender was expected to return for Lazio's trip to Sassuolo on Sunday afternoon, though the club may take the prudent approach and correct a knee problem that has plagued the defender throughout his professional club.
Should the defender proceed with the operation, he faces months on the sideline.