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His hopes of starting in midfield are boosted by Cristiano Zanetti's suspension while new defender Guglielmo Stendardo and striker Vincenzo Iaquinta are also banned. Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon will again miss out with a bad back.

Serie A leaders Internazionale are without suspended left winger Cesar for Sunday's visit of Empoli but their midfield injury troubles have eased.

Boss Roberto Mancini is unlikely to include 17-year-old striker Mario Balotelli, despite his two goals in Wednesday's 3-2 Italian Cup quarter-final second leg win at Juve.

Striker Ronaldo is again expected to miss Milan's trip to fourth-placed Fiorentina on Sunday with a calf problem.

Zeljko Kalac hopes to keep his place in goal despite Dida's return to fitness.

Fiorentina, seven points above sixth-placed Milan, will be without suspended midfielder Marco Donadel.

Reserve goalkeeper Gianluca Curci has a leg injury and will miss Roma's game at struggling Siena.

Striker Rolando Bianchi is suspended for Lazio's home match with Sampdoria on Sunday but new signings Ousmane Dabo and David Rozehnal could feature. Forward Antonio Cassano is expected to return for Samp after a back injury.

Reuters