A prominent figure for Italy during the 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign, both in qualification and at the finals, Simone Pepe has been largely overlooked by Cesare Prandelli, but the pacy right-winger could be back in the reckoning thanks to his excellent 2011/12 form in Serie A for Juventus.

• Joined local club AS Roma as a youngster but launched his career on loan in Serie C1 before joining US Città di Palermo, with whom he won Serie B in 2003/04.

• Spent the 2004/05 season on loan at Piacenza Calcio and impressed with 12 goals in 29 Serie B games, but struggled back at Palermo and was sold mid-campaign to Udinese Calcio, who then sent him on another loan, to Cagliari Calcio, in 2006/07.

• Finally settled down in Udine and helped the Zebrette to successive seventh-place finishes in Serie A, his energetic wing play earning him selection for Italy and a debut in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia on 11 October 2008.

• An outstanding 2009/10 season, in which he scored a personal-best tally of seven Serie A goals and set up many more for 29-goal capocannoniere Antonio Di Natale, elevated his standing to a new level, leading to a starting place in all three of Italy's matches at the World Cup finals in South Africa and, subsequently, a €7.5m transfer to Juventus.

• A disappointing debut season in Turin was followed by an impressive second as Juventus challenged strongly for the Scudetto under new coach Antonio Conte.