The Italian players hoping to break into Marcello Lippi's World Cup squad are running out of time, the coach has admitted.

Lippi has gathered again with his national team to prepare for Saturday's friendly against Holland in Pescara before travelling to Cesena to take on Sweden four days later.

"We have been working with a group of 30-35 players and from that list 23 will go to South Africa," Lippi said today.

While the calls for Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano to be included in the group are not as loud as in coming weeks, the player's fans have not given up hope he will feature in the squad.

Cassano was in Roberto Donadoni's Euro 2008 side but ever since Lippi returned to guide the Azzurri, the playmaker has not featured for Italy.

"It will be difficult for anyone to enter the group after the last friendly but it's not impossible," Lippi said.

"We only have three further games left and two of them we will play in the coming week, then we will return to train in March.

"The opportunities to verify the team are not many as you can see."

Lippi has an idea about what kind of team he would like to face in Italy's last warm-up game.

"In our last friendly I would like to face an African national team," he said.

One player who is not thinking about next year's top event in South Africa just yet is Livorno midfielder Antonio Candreva.

Candreva, who alongside Cagliari midfielder Davide Biondini earned his first call to the senior team on Sunday, is delighted to be training with the world champions.

"I'm just looking to enjoy this experience," the 22-year-old said. "To have arrived here is already special for me.

"I'm not thinking about the World Cup.

"My only thought this season is to help Livorno defend its Serie A status.

"Besides, it is much easier to think about this aim than trying to clinch a place for the World Cup."

The Azzurri are without injured Alessandro Gamberini, Gennaro Gattuso, Claudio Marchisio, Gaetano D'Agostino, Daniele De Rossi, Pepe and Vincenzo Iaquinta.

However, Lippi is hoping to have Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for this weekend's game.

Buffon was unable to train today and is doubtful for the encounter against Holland as he is struggling with flu.

"Buffon has seven lives, just like cats," Lippi said.

"We will wait to see how he is before making a decision."