Previews: Shevchenko desperate to stay at Milan
MILAN - Brief news from Serie A ahead of the weekend matches.
Forward Andriy Shevchenko wants to stay at AC Milan for the long term despite being used mainly as substitute this season after moving back to the San Siro from Chelsea.
"I am reborn and I would like to stay," the Ukrainian told reporters after scoring twice in a midweek practice game.
He is unlikely to force his way into Milan's side for Sunday's home game with Palermo because of the form of Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi, which has led to the struggling Ronaldinho being consigned to the bench of late.
Palermo are likely to be without defender Moris Carrozzieri after the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said on Thursday that he had tested positive for cocaine.
Juventus chief executive Jean Claude Blanc has told players that Claudio Ranieri will definitely stay as coach despite Tuesday's Italian Cup semi-final defeat by Lazio, Italian media reported.
Juve, joint second with Milan but 10 points behind Inter Milan with six games left, visit bottom side Reggina on Sunday.
Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani is out of AS Roma's match at Fiorentina on Saturday after the club said in a statement he had flown to Amsterdam for checks on his ankle. He must rest for 10 days before undergoing more tests.
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Stuttering Fiorentina, battling Genoa and Roma for the fourth Champions League spot, will again be without influential midfielder Felipe Melo as he serves a five-match ban for fighting in a match with Cagliari earlier this month.
Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi is available for Sunday's match at Napoli despite being sent off in Thursday's Italian Cup semi-final elimination at the hands of Sampdoria.
His ban will come into effect in next season's Italian Cup but Napoli centre back Paolo Cannavaro is suspended as the hosts try to slow Inter's charge towards the title.