Chievo vs Palermo preview - Miccoli makes fan plea

Palermo fan favourite Fabrizio Miccoli has called on disgruntled supporters to get behind the club in their battle to avoid relegation from Serie A.

The 33-year-old striker returns from a two-match suspension to boost the league's bottom side at Chievo as head coach Alberto Malesani searches for the Sicilians' first win in 11 attempts.

President Maurizio Zamparini was the subject of angry protests last week as fans continue to shout louder about their club's seemingly inexorable slide into Serie B.

Miccoli told Palermo's official website: "The team is bottom of the table but we are looking for the win that would let us make a positive move forward in our season.

"For that reason I am asking you all, as your captain, to support us and leave your problems with the club and players until the end of the season."

Climbing out of the relegation places looked be an impossible task when Palermo went 1-0 behind at home to fellow strugglers Pescara last time out, but on-loan midfielder Diego Fabbrini scored to salvage a draw and an invaluable point.

Miccoli added: "In my five years here you have always stood by us and thankfully that has seen us get some great results against tough opponents."

Striker Abel Hernandez, midfielder Andrea Mantovani and defender Andrea Dossena are unavailable through injury as Palermo look to score a goal at the Marc'Antonio Bentegodi for the first time since October 2006.

Malesani, who recently replaced Gian Piero Gasperini, backed Miccoli's appeal and tipped him to lead the Rosanero cause.

"I can certainly say that, unless anything happens to him, Fabrizio will be back," he told La Repubblica.

"He's an important player. He's highly motivated and I'm sure he will drive us forward. He has so much experience in starting moves from deep with his pace and his understanding with the midfielders.

"He knows how to attack the space and cut through good defences, how to do a bit of everything really."

Bizarrely, Chievo's current head coach Eugenio Corini was the last man to score for Palermo in Verona.

The Brescian is missing midfielder Luca Rigoni, who serves a one-match suspension, while Gennaro Sardo, Boukary Drame, Adrian Stoian and Roberto Guana face late fitness tests.