Stam set for Coppa comeback

By Paolo Menicucci

AC Milan defender Jaap Stam and Juventus FC striker David Trezeguet are both ready to play after long-term injuries as the Coppa Italia third round concludes over the next two nights.

Milan ahead
Stam has featured only three times for Milan since his summer move from S.S. Lazio due to ankle trouble. However, his two most recent appearances, both in the UEFA Champions League, produced clean sheets against FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Barcelona, in September and October respectively. A similar performance against US Città di Palermo tonight would ensure Milan's progress to the quarter-finals, following their 2-1 first-leg win in Sicily in November.

'Difficult period'
The Dutch centre-back said: "It's been a difficult period for me because I have been able to play just a few matches since I joined Milan due to a series of injuries. However, I am finally ready and I want to make my contribution for the rest of the season. We try to win every competition we play and we will take the Coppa Italia extremely seriously."

Inter trip
Among tonight's three other fixtures, FC Internazionale Milano visit Bologna FC defending a 3-1 advantage. Roberto Mancini will rest Adriano and Christian Vieri, giving a chance to Obafemi Martins and Alvaro Recoba who both scored in Inter's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against UC Sampdoria on Sunday. Sampdoria lead sole Serie B survivors Torino Calcio 2-0 ahead of their home leg in Genoa, while ACF Fiorentina travel to Parma FC with a similar cushion.

Raring to go
Trezeguet returns on Thursday for a Juventus side trailing Serie A strugglers Atalanta BC 2-0. The French international has not played since October, having undergone surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder, but is now raring to go.

Trezeguet 'ready'
"I have finally recovered from the injury and I am ready to play for 90 minutes," Trezeguet said. "Now I just need to play as much as I can in order to return to full fitness. My team-mates played extraordinarily well in my absence and I could hardly wait to return to action. I think we can still progress despite the defeat in the away leg."

Holders behind
The same night, holders S.S. Lazio welcome Cagliari Calcio with the home team 2-1 down from the first leg. AS Roma must overturn a similar deficit at AC Siena, while Udinese Calcio aim to make the most of their thrilling 5-4 win at US Lecce.