Catania vs AS Roma preview - De Rossi boosts Roma

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi has signed a new five-year contract to give the club the perfect boost ahead of the resumption of their game at Catania on Wednesday.

After months of negotiations, the 28-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal which will see him remain at Roma until July 2017.

De Rossi said: "I think we can fight for something important. We want to be able to compete with the strongest teams. I believe in this project."

Tomorrow's game is a continuation of the match on January 14 that was suspended in the 65th minute due to a waterlogged pitch in Sicily.

The teams will return to the Angelo Massimino stadium pitch with the scores level at 1-1, with De Rossi expected to start.

The Italy international featured in Sunday's 4-0 triumph over Inter Milan which saw Roma bounce back from their 4-2 loss at Cagliari.

The capital side are just one place and two points behind fifth-placed Inter going into the Catania clash.

Roma coach Luis Enrique said: "We still have our defects and we have plenty of room for improvement.

"If we don't turn in another great performance, the win over Inter would have been for nothing."

Catania, meanwhile, are fully rested after their game at Cesena on Saturday was postponed due to heavy snow.

The Sicilians are coached by Vincenzo Montella, who was in charge of Roma last season but was not offered a contract extension.

Catania have yet to win in 2012. They have taken two points from their last four league games and are 15th, six points clear of the relegation zone.

The hosts go into the encounter without defender Giovanni Marchese and midfielder Marco Biagianti, with both suspended.