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.
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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.”
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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.”
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