Gattuso declared fit to face Arsenal

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is back in contention for next week's trip to Arsenal FC after recovering earlier than anticipated from a thigh injury.

Quick healer
Gattuso is ready to play again only 15 days after suffering an injury which was expected to sideline him for four weeks – and for both legs of the UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against Arsenal, beginning on 20 February. However, the 30-year-old Italian international has returned to the Milan squad for tonight's Serie A game against AS Livorno Calcio, with coach Carlo Ancelotti saying: "Gattuso is fine."

'Great professional'
Ancelotti continued: "He has recovered very quickly thanks to the great dedication he has shown in his rehabilitation. He is a peculiar player in that respect – he's a great professional." Pato and Kaká miss the Livorno match because of their respective ankle and knee injuries. "Pato is a bit behind Kaká, who will be available against Parma [FC] at the weekend," Ancelotti added.