Falcone grounded for four months

Bologna FC defender Giulio Falcone is not expected to play again until next February after undergoing surgery on his left knee.

Up to third
The 28-year-old former AC Fiorentina player tore knee ligaments during the club's 3-0 defeat of Brescia Calcio last Sunday. The victory lifted Bologna to third place in the Italian top flight, two points behind AC Milan and Internazionale FC, after three wins and two draws in their opening five matches.

Recent setbacks
The news is a third setback for coach Francesco Guidolin. Midfield player Renato Olive was recently ruled out for a month with a thigh strain and, on Tuesday, defender Fabio Macellari shocked everyone at the Renato Dall'Ara by asking Bologna to terminate his contract, a request which was met.

'Tough period'
Guidolin is without another defender, the suspended Marco Zanchi, for Sunday's trip to Inter, leaving him to urge Bologna's younger players to "prove how good they are". He continued: "We must deal with all these problems. We are facing a tough period and everybody in the squad will have to contribute."

Signori return?
Yet there was some cheer for Guidolin, club doctor Gianni Nanni revealing that veteran striker Giuseppe Signori could make a surprise return to the first-team squad at the weekend. "Signori suffers a slight pain when shooting but he's almost ready to play and could be on the bench at Inter," Nanni said.