Hellas Verona vs Chievo preview - Tony praised by coach Mandorlini

Hellas Verona coach Andrea Mandorlini has heaped praise on veteran striker Luca Toni ahead of Sunday's city derby against Chievo.

The 37-year-old Toni scored his 300th career goal in last weekend's 2-1 victory at Udinese, Hellas' fourth win of the campaign.

The victory in Udine halted a three-match losing streak for Hellas and lifted them to 13th place, five points clear of the drop zone.

"Toni is absolutely fantastic," Mandorlini told the Italian press. "To have scored 300 goals says it all.

"I have the fortune to coach him every day and I am proud of this.

"We have a great rapport.

"It's thanks to him, to his goals and to the team that we are coming out of a difficult spell.

"Luca has put the team on his back."

Toni, who scored an impressive 20 league goals last season to help Hellas finish 10th in the standings, has no intention to slow down.

"I'm 37 but I have the will of a youngster," he said. "To smell the grass and to see the ball hit the back of the net are emotions that nothing else can give you.

"As a striker I live to score.

"My aim this season is to score as a many goals as possible in order to help Hellas avoid relegation in what is a difficult campaign.

"Our focus right now is on winning the derby in order to have a good Christmas."

Hellas can expect a battle against a Chievo side that is desperate to climb up in the standings.

The Flying Donkeys saw their five-match unbeaten run halted in Monday's 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan.

Chievo are 17th position and will be eager to increase their one point advantage over the drop zone heading into the new year.

Chievo have won just three games this season and will have to do without pivotal Argentinian midfielder Ruben Botta for their next three games.

Botta was handed a three-match ban for insulting the official after being sent off against Inter.b