Italian softball players are set to be put through their paces at a training camp in Rome ©Getty Images

Italy women’s softball team are poised to step up preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by holding a training camp in Rome.

Twenty-four players are set to be put through their paces at the Giulio Onesti training facility from December 4 to 7.

The camp will be an opportunity for players to stake their claim for a place in the squad for the rescheduled Olympic Games.

Italy are due to begin their Olympic campaign against the United States on July 21 - two days before the Opening Ceremony.

Mexico, Canada, Australia and hosts Japan will also contest for the softball gold medal.

Representatives of the Italian Institute of Sports Science will carry out physical tests on the players during Italy's training camp.

Italy booked their place at Tokyo 2020 with a 5-0 victory over Britain in last year’s World Baseball Softball Confederation Europe and Africa qualification event in Dutch city Utrecht.

It is the third time Italy have qualified for an Olympics, having appeared at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, finishing sixth and eighth respectively.

Italy are ranked 10th in the world.

Softball has not been on the Olympic programme since Beijing 2008, when Japan won the gold medal.