Luca Toni hopeful of World Cup spot

Hellas Verona forward Luca Toni has said that he is hopeful of earning a place in the Italy squad for this summer's World Cup finals.

The 36-year-old, who is fourth top scorer in Serie A this season with nine goals, admits that it would be an honour to represent his country in Brazil.

"I am thinking about doing well. Then it is for Cesare Prandelli to decide," he told reporters. "For me, it would be a pleasure and an honour to go to the World Cup, but whatever happens there would be no issue.

"For me it was a good way to begin 2014, I am very happy to have scored and for this win. Hopefully this will be a great year. We ended 2013 very well and we have come out [in 2014] strongly. We had a great game, picking up three important points.

"Will I go to Brazil? I do not know, let's see what will happen in June."

Toni was part of the Italy squad that won the 2006 World Cup in Germany.