[dukeofdavinci]

Ricky eyes Orobici role Friday 14 September, 2007

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Fiorentina midfield starlet Riccardo Montolivo is determined to shrug off injury worries to play against his old club Atalanta this weekend.

The 22-year-old spent his first two professional seasons in Bergamo and made 73 appearances for the Orobici during their promotion from Serie B and subsequent relegation from the top flight.

Since moving to the Gigliati in 2005, Montolivo has struggled to hold down a place in the first team, but now it seems that Coach Cesare Pramdelli trusts him with a regular starting role.

However, if he is to play a part against his former colleagues he will need to shake off an ankle problem that has dogged him since the season opener against Empoli.

“The ankle is getting better, but it’s not at 100 per cent,” he admitted. “The international break has helped my recovery, but it wasn’t possible to return to normal in such a short time.

“I’m taking a risk when I run with thie injury, but we will have to see on Saturday what decision is for the best.”

Before leaving the Press conference, Montolivo answered questions regarding a proposed contract renewal to his current deal that ties him to the club until 2010 with a wage of just £200,000 per season.

“I’m under contract with Fiorentina for another three years and it is no secret that I want to stay here and the club want me to,” he stated.

“But there’s lots of time and for now I just want to concentrate on what happens on the pitch.”

Serbian 19-year-old Zdravko Kuzmanovic is set to fill in for Montolivo against Atalanta, but Montolivo is likely to feature as a substitute.

viola players raring to go.