Totti told to expect Italian call

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ROME, Italy -- Italy coach Roberto Donadoni will call up Francesco Totti for the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Ukraine next month despite the striker's reluctance to return for the world champions.

Totti has asked for time to decide whether he still wants to play for the Azzurri following their triumph in Germany and spend more time with his family.

"I will call up all those World Cup winners who were absent against France for the next match, and that includes him," said Donadoni whose Euro bid has started badly.

"The agreement I have with him is that we will keep in touch and evalute his situation."

Italy's campaign started with a 1-1 draw at home to Lithuania followed by a 3-1 defeat to France - the team they beat in the World Cup final - in Paris on Wednesday.

The results have left Italy five points adrift of France and Scotland in Group B and Donadoni wants Totti to return in an attempt to put Italy's qualification hopes back on track.

The match against Ukraine takes place on October 7 at Rome's Olympic stadium, where Totti plays his club matches.

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