Giampiero Ventura has named the Italy squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Israel, with Roberto Gagliardini the most notable absentee.

Gagliardini has lost his place to Marco Parolo, while Napoli midfielder Jorginho continues to be overlooked and there is no place for Simone Zaza among the attacking options.

Having recovered from the groin issue that kept him out of the previous internationals Marco Verratti has been welcomed back into the fold. However, Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is unavailable, the 31-year-old having been ruled out for up to four weeks with a recurrence of his knee injury.

Goalkeeper Mattia Perin returns to the squad, proving his fitness after his recovery from a serious knee injury, the Genoa stopper providing back-up to Gianluigi Buffon and Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Italy is level on points with Spain at the top of Group G, the two European giants seven clear at the summit of the section with four fixtures remaining.

The Azzurri travels to  Santiago Bernabeu to play Spain on 3 September (AEST) before hosting Israel three days later at Sassuolo's Mapei Stadium.

Italy squad:

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), Mattia Perin (Genoa); Davide Astori (Fiorentina), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (AC Milan), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Andrea Conti (AC Milan), Danilo D'Ambrosio (Inter), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Leonardo Spinazzola (Atalanta); Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Inter), Daniele De Rossi (Rome), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Rome), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain); Andrea Belotti (Torino), Eder (Inter), Manolo Gabbiadini (Southampton), Ciro Immobile (Lazio).