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Gianluigi Buffon is set to play on for Italy after caretaker Luigi Di Biagio said he plans to call him up for the friendlies against Argentina and England next month. Buffon, 40, had a tearful farewell to international football following Italy's elimination from the World Cup playoff at the hands of Sweden in November, but Di Biagio said he intends to give the Juventus goalkeeper at least two more games as he mulls over his future. "I've had many discussions and Buffon must not end with that game against Sweden," Di Biagio said at a news conference on Monday. "It's a question of his personal story, and of prestige -- for what Gigi has given to our football. "I've offered him two or three games to enable him to make his decision further down the line, so Gigi will probably be part of my squad in March." Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and Daniele De Rossi also announced after the World Cup playoff loss that they intended to retire from international competition. Di Biagio confirmed Barzagli will retire, but Chiellini is set to continue and De Rossi is not going to be part of Di Biagio's first squad selection "but we'll see how things evolve." Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli could also return to Italy for the pair of friendlies. Balotelli has not featured for his country since the 2014 World Cup but Di Biagio confirmed he has his eyes on the Nice forward. "He's not precluded and I'm following him constantly," Di Biagio said. "We'll evaluate things when it comes to drawing up a list of players. I'm not closing the door on anybody, but I won't tell you today whether he will be included or not." Balotelli, 27, has scored 13 goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances for Nice this season and there have been growing calls for him to be given another chance for Italy. That opportunity could arrive when Italy face Argentina at Manchester's Etihad Stadium on March 23, or at Wembley Stadium against England four days later. Di Biagio will have those games to stake his claim for the job on a full-time basis, although he is not under any illusions that there are many other candidates being considered. "I am realistic and I know full well what my role is," said Di Biagio, who is Italy's under-21 coach and in temporary charge of the senior team following the dismissal of Gian Piero Ventura. "But I am not lacking ambition and I do want to put the FIGC's decision-makers into an awkward position. "Call me what you want, but my first mission is to bring back the enthusiasm and joy to this team, which we all love. Then we'll see." Alessandro Costacurta, who is tasked with finding and appointing Italy's new coach in his role as sub-commissioner of the FIGC, has not ruled out Di Biagio earning the permanent appointment. "He's a very dedicated coach and I am sure he will do the role justice," Costacurta told reporters. Di Biagio is working with a squad of 24 fringe players on a three-day training camp in Coverciano.
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