Milan: Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has moved to quash recent media reports suggesting Mario Balotelli should miss the World Cup by giving the misfiring striker his full backing.

Italy striker Balotelli has shown only glimpses of his potential in what has been a frustrating season with AC Milan and was substituted by coach Clarence Seedorf in a disappointing, and at times petulant, display in a 2-0 defeat to Roma last week.