FORMER ITALY striker Francesco Totti is open to the idea of coming out of international retirement, the AS Roma captain said on Sunday.

I will talk with coach Marcello Lippi and together we will consider my return to the national team, the 32-year-old, who retired following the World Cup win in 2006, told reporters.

The Republic of Ireland will play Italy in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Croke Park on October 10th.

Totti, who has been blighted by injury in recent years, also said he was close to signing a new contract which would keep him at his boyhood club until 2014.