[D-Kin]

Aquilani recovers, Totti struggles Tuesday 18 December, 2007

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Roma midfield starlet Alberto Aquilani is ready to return from a long-term thigh injury, but there’s less encouraging news for Francesco Totti.

Aquilani has been out of action since limping off during the Giallorossi’s Champions League defeat against Manchester United on October 2.

The injury halted a glittering start to the campaign, which saw Aquilani hit two sensational long-range goals in the opening two games.

After an agonising period on the sidelines, the 23-year-old has returned to training and could feature in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia last 16 tie against Torino.

However, as one key figure prepares to return to the field, another has suffered an injury setback.

Inspirational captain Totti looks set to miss out on the capital club’s final games of 2007 after reporting pain in his ankle.

Er Pupone had returned to action with the aid of a special boot to protect his damaged foot, but it seems that he hasn’t yet healed completely.

Roma boss Luciano Spalletti may now opt to send Totti away for an early Christmas break and hope that he is at 100 per cent for the first game of 2008 away to Atalanta on January 13.

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