16 January 2008

Chiellini has a sprained knee. Out for at least a month

After winning against Empoli and qualifying for the next round of the Italian Cup, Juventus went straight back to work in Vinovo, preparing the game against Sampdoria, scheduled for next Sunday. Obviously those employed against Empoli only trained lightly, while the rest of the group carried out technique exercises.

Giorgio Chiellini, who last night had to hobble off the pitch halfway through the first half of the Italian Cup match, underwent a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance test today, which confirmed the first diagnosis by Juventus' medical staff: Giorgio has sprained his right knee, affecting the ligament also. Further lesions were ruled out. He will probably need more than a month to recover, though, so the player should be back on the pitch by the end of February.

On Sunday, Ranieri will have Nicola Legrottaglie back, unavailable against Empoli, and Cristian Molinaro, who suffered an injury against the Tuscans, but will recover in time for the game against Sampdoria.