Injury-plagued Milan braced for Catania trip
Reuters - Friday 28 January 2011, 07:27
MILAN - Injury-hit leaders AC Milan have swooped for Espanyol
fullback Didac Vila but the deal is unlikely to go through in
time for Saturday's trip to Catania.
"We are trying to bring in a fullback who plays abroad but
is eligible for the Champions League," Milan chief executive
Adriano Galliani told reporters before being spotted at
Espanyol's offices.
The 21-year-old would be Milan's fourth recruit in January
after Antonio Cassano, Urby Emanuelson and Mark van Bommel.
Fifth-placed Inter Milan, who are close to signing
Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini according to media reports,
have suspension and injury worries for Sunday's visit of Palermo.
Dejan Stankovic and Ivan Cordoba could both be out for a
month with thigh and shoulder injuries while Cristian Chivu is
banned. Wesley Sneijder is still not fit so Leonardo will have
to field a makeshift side.
Juventus (sixth) host Udinese on Sunday with yet
more injuries after Amauri, Simone Pepe and Marco Motta picked
up knocks in Thursday's 2-0 Italian Cup defeat by AS Roma.
Second-placed Napoli are signing Espanyol centre back
Victor Ruiz, who was pictured in Naples airport, but Sunday's
home game with Sampdoria comes too soon for the Spaniard.
Struggling Fiorentina are deciding whether to end Adrian
Mutu's banishment after the Romanian striker apologised for
quitting training.
"His apology has been appreciated," club director Andrea
Della Valle told reporters ahead of Saturday's trip to
fourth-placed Lazio.
Cagliari, who host bottom side Bari on Sunday, are
on the verge of bringing goalkeeper Federico Marchetti back into
the fold, according to media reports in Sardinia.
Italy's World Cup keeper has not played all season after
falling out with the club's president but a move to Genoa fell
through and he may now stay.