Christiano Doni could be a surprise inclusion in Italy’s starting line-up against Ecuador on Monday.

Coach Giovanni Trapattoni originally called up the Atalanta playmaker as a standby for Francesco Totti in the link role between midfield and attack. But with an orthodox 4-4-2 formation now likely, Doni could be handed a start on the left.

“Trapattoni has indicated that I was here to be the deputy to Totti but you could say that is not a complete picture of me,” said the 29-year-old.

“That is not because I am not prepared to be placed behind Totti, who is a genuine phenomenon, but because I can also cover positions that hedoesn’t operate in – on the left, on the right or in the centre of midfield.”