With injuries continuing to be a real source of frustration for AC Milan, Stefano Pioli could gradually start edging closer to having a full squad as the month goes on.
Despite several important absences, the Rossoneri were able to see off Salernitana on Wednesday in a 2-1 win as we returned from the World Cup break with an important victory.
READ MORE: How Milan could line up vs Roma: Key absentees remain out for clash
With Pioli confirming to the media on Saturday that he expects to have the same group available to him for our encounter with Roma on Sunday night, it’s a concern to continue using the same key individuals in what is a hectic month in the fixture schedule.
Not only do Milan have Serie A games coming up, but we also have the Italian Super Cup and Coppa Italia, while the Champions League resumes in mid-February. In turn, we’ll certainly be tested by it, and having a full-strength squad will be fundamental to our chances of being involved in the latter stages.
According to MilanNews, Pioli could potentially welcome back Divock Origi and Messias Junior next week for our clashes with Torino and Lecce in the Coppa Italia and Serie A respectively, while Ante Rebic is unlikely to make the Italian Super Cup showdown with Inter on January 18.
Rade Krunic is in contention to return for it, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic is targeting the Champions League tie with Tottenham on February 14 as he is expected to return to Milan next week to continue his recovery work.
It’s not as positive for Mike Maignan though, as Pioli conceded in his press conference that he couldn’t put a timeline on the French international’s recovery, as his calf injury isn’t healing as expected and the medical staff won’t take any risks with him.
Given how important he is for us between the posts and his general presence in the backline, it’s hoped Maignan doesn’t miss too much more of the campaign having already been sidelined since the end of September, while those mentioned above will hopefully avoid any setbacks in their respective recoveries too.
