Antonio Cassano will not make his Roma comeback against Juventus on Saturday, according to reports in Italy.
Despite rumours to the contrary and Cassano’s return to training with the youth team – where he has worked hard and played exceptionally well – the contract rebel will remain out in the cold this weekend.
The news will come as a disappointment to Roma fans, who were hoping that their skilful striker would return to face the side against whom he has already managed to score four times.
It had been thought that the softening of Coach Luciano Spalletti’s attitude in Cassano’s regard, would see him play his ace card in the much-anticipated clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
However, club Secretary Rosella Sensi is still not on speaking terms with the player she openly branded a "bare-faced liar" last month and Roma have, in fairness, been playing well in his absence by winning their last three matches in a row.
For their part, Juventus have publicly encouraged the return of the 24-year-old. Director general Luciano Moggi, for one, is in favour of making the spectacle all the more watch-able.
"If Roma play Cassano against us, they are doing the right thing," he said. "Because it would improve the spectacle and, at Juve, we are always in favour of entertainment."
It seems that if Moggi really wants to see the Cassano show hit the road, he will have to try to bring him to Turin in January.
Meanwhile, Cristian Chivu is expected to miss the Juventus game after he returned from international duty with an injury.
The Romanian defender has been told that he will need to rest for two days as a result of a slight thigh problem.
anyway chivu is still suspended.