SIMONE Inzaghi, the Lazio manager, may ask his strikers Felipe Caicedo and Joaquin Correa to play against Celtic in the Europa League match in the Stadio Olimpico tonight despite not being fully fit
Inzaghi, who has Stefan Radu, Adam Marusic and Cataldi suspended, admitted last night that he has serious injury concerns ahead of a Group E encounter in Rome that his side need to win.
Ciro Immobile, the Italy forward who is the top scorer in Serie A this season with 13 goals to his name, is set to start up front for the home team, unlike in Glasgow last month when he came off the bench in the second-half.
READ MORE: Callum McGregor signs five year contract extension at Celtic
But Inzaghi, whose team need to triumph to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds, could appeal to Caicedo and Correa, as well as defensive Lucas Leiva, to play through the pain barrier.
“We have some problems with Correa, Caicedo and Leiva that will be evaluated,” he said. “Felipe got a blow to the shoulder and we feared something serious. There is no fracture there is still a lot of bruising.
“Those three will be observed very carefully during and after the next training session. Immobile and (captain Senad) Lulic were a bit tired after the game (against AC Milan in the San Siro on Sunday) but I am confident they will be ready.”
READ MORE: Lazio threat stretches way beyond Immobile, warns Kris Ajer as Celtic touch down in Rome
Inzaghi added: “We will give them every chance to recover, but an effort will be required on their part. We may ask them to make a sacrifice.
“I have different options if they can’t play, but I also need to be aware that Immobile has played three games in a row and had some problems after Milan.”
Inzaghi - whose side have only won one of their group games, against Rennes at home at the start of last month, so far - believes his side can win if they reproduce their display in Glasgow, who two outstanding saves from Fraser Forester denied them a result, and take their chances.
“We have to win by force,” he said. “We absolutely have to get three points and move up the group table.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here