Roberto Donadoni insists striker Antonio Cassano should be treated like any other member of his Euro 2008 squad by the media.

Donadoni caused a stir when he handed Cassano an international lifeline on Tuesday by including him in his provisional 24-man selection for next month's tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

"Antonio's inclusion was thoroughly thought through and happened after a meeting with my staff. He's only a lad, don't make him into an alien. Don't put too much pressure on him, because he will do great things," Donadoni told reporters ahead of Italy's first training session.

The 26-year-old impressed for Sampdoria while on loan from Real Madrid last season but has not featured for Italy since 2006 and many thought his international chances had suffered a terminal setback when he earned a five-match ban for throwing his shirt at a referee in a Serie A match earlier this year.

"When I spoke to him he more or less said: 'do you trust me? I won't disappoint you'," Donadoni added.

"From him, like from the others, I want proper behaviour not only on the pitch but also off it, also in the training sessions, for the good of the squad and the group. And I'm sure it will be so."