Brentford’s on-loan striker Marcello Trotta has been called up to the Italy Under-21 squad for a special friendly next week.

The 21-year-old joined Brentford on loan from Fulham for the first half of the 2013/14 season, his second spell at Griffin Park.

He has been selected for Italy’s Under-21 squad for a match against an Italy ‘B’ side.

The fixture will be played on Tuesday afternoon, December 17.

Marcello – who has represented Italy at Under-20, Under-19, Under-18 and Under-16 level – will be seeking to play his first game at Under-21 level, albeit he won’t win an international cap.

Marcello will link up with the Italian squad on Sunday, December 15 and will return to West London after the match.

He will not miss any Brentford matches.

Italy are currently attempting to quality for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championships, which will be held in Czech Republic.

They have played five of their eight games, winning three and losing two.

Marcello played a key role in Brentford’s push for automatic promotion in 2012/13, scoring six goals in 22 League One appearances, six of which were as a substitute.

In total he scored nine goals in 29 games for The Bees last season and ended the campaign as third top scorer.

He returned to Griffin Park on loan until January 5 and has scored four goals in 15 games.