Roma facing Aquilani absence

AS Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani will be sidelined for four weeks after tearing a thigh muscle during Tuesday's UEFA Champions League defeat at Manchester United FC.

Spalletti worry
Initial fears that the 23-year-old would be out for two months proved to be unfounded, but Aquilani will be unavailable for some time after injuring his right leg after an hour of the 1-0 Group F reverse at Old Trafford. Coach Luciano Spalletti anticipated the lay-off, which was confirmed by a scan today, saying: "It looks a serious injury to Aquilani. I left him in the dressing room with a towel and ice and it looks like a tear high on his leg."

Sporting setback
The homegrown Aquilani, who won his third cap for Italy last month against Ukraine, will miss Roma's home match against Sporting Clube de Portugal on 23 October and will also struggle to recover for the return in Lisbon on 7 November. In addition, he will be out of contention for Italy's UEFA EURO 2008™ fixture against Georgia on 13 October.