AS Roma vs Chievo preview -Osvaldo blow for Roma

Roma have suffered a huge setback ahead of the game against Chievo with news that Daniel Osvaldo will be sidelined for two months with a muscular injury.

Osvaldo, who is Roma's top scorer with seven goals, got hurt in training this week and tests done on the Italy international confirmed the club's worst fears.

A statement from Roma read: "Daniel Osvaldo underwent tests on Friday which revealed a second degree muscular lesion in his right thigh.

"The recovery period will be around two months."

Osvaldo's injury could not have come at a worst time for Roma, considering the club loaned striker Marco Borriello to Juventus earlier this week.

To complicate matters, David Pizarro is also unavailable for Sunday's game with the Chilean playmaker granted permission to fly home due to personal reasons.

Roma coach Luis Enrique is expected to field captain Francesco Totti, who has yet to score this season, alongside Erik Lamela and Bojan in attack.

Roma go into the encounter at the Stadio Olimpico on the back of two straight wins and are seventh in the standings, level on 24 points with Napoli.

Rivals Chievo travel to the Eternal City confident they can get a result against Roma provided they show the same focus they displayed against Lazio last time out.

The men from Verona held Lazio to a goalless draw in Rome in their last game of the year.

"Our game at Lazio was our best performance away from home this season," Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino said. "Although we did not win, we took away an important point.

"We have to show the same hunger and determination against Roma.

"We believe that to take away points from this game, we have to be perfect in Rome and hope that Roma have a bad day."

Chievo, coached by Domenico Di Carlo, are 12th in the standings, four points behind Roma.