AC Milan are reportedly hopeful that both Alessandro Florenzi and Noah Okafor will be available to face Roma this weekend.
The Rossoneri have been hit with an injury crisis in recent weeks, with 10 players currently sidelined while others have recently returned from their own setbacks.
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With Ismael Bennacer and Samuel Chukwueze reporting for international duty at AFCON, it limits Stefano Pioli’s options further, and so the Milan boss would certainly welcome positive news on the injury front in any form if it adds competition and depth.
After limping off in the first half of our win over Empoli this past weekend, it was feared that Florenzi would be added to the list of long-term absentees, but fortunately it sounds as though the wily veteran will be targeting a return this weekend when we face Roma.
According to Sky Sport Italia, after undergoing further tests on Monday, it was concluded that the Italian international hadn’t suffered a muscle injury, but he is expected to miss our midweek Coppa Italia meeting with Atalanta and will subsequently return to potentially make the squad that faces Roma on Sunday night.
Florenzi, 32, has made 22 appearances so far this season, and although our injury woes have opened up opportunities for our youngsters, we’ll hope to have our experienced stalwarts available too as we try to sustain our improved form in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, MilanNews report that Okafor went through a personalised session in training on Monday as he recovers from a muscle injury of his own, and although he’ll similarly be ruled out against Atalanta, the hope is that he will be available to face Roma too.
The likelihood is that our preferred attacking trident of Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao will start that game, but Pioli will be keen to avoid placing too heavy a workload on them moving forward to avoid further injury blows.
In turn, having Okafor back along with Yunus Musah in midfield, Florenzi in defence and others, will give him depth and options to rotate and rest when necessary.