Genoa vs US Sassuolo Calcio preview - Costa and Matri blow for Genoa

Genoa have suffered a double blow ahead of Sunday's home game against Sassuolo with midfielder Tino Costa and striker Alessandro Matri both ruled out for six weeks through injury.

Matri, who has scored seven goals and set up five others in 12 starts for Genoa this season, suffered a thigh injury in last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Inter Milan.

Costa, who joined Genoa on loan from Spartak Moscow earlier this month, also got hurt at the weekend and is out with a groin problem.

To complicate matters for Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini, defender Sebastian De Maio and midfielder Diego Perotti are both suspended this weekend.

Genoa have not won a game since December 7 and have collected just one point since to drop to seventh place.

"We are going through a negative spell but I'm sure if we continue to work hard, sooner or later we will be rewarded," Gasperini told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Rivals Sassuolo were involved in Coppa Italia action this week and bowed out of the competition after a 2-1 defeat at AC MIlan on Tuesday.

"It's a pity to have been eliminated but you can lose against Milan at the San Siro," Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco said.

"Now we must focus on defending our Serie A status.

"We are on the right path and we will work hard to reach the 40-point mark as soon as possible."

Sassuolo have lost just one of their last 12 league games and last Sunday's 1-1 draw against Udinese lifted the Serie A minnows to 11th place.

Simone Zaza and Domenico Berardi will return to lead Sassuolo's attack on Sunday with both players having rested in midweek.b

Di Francesco will be without three key defenders with Federico Peluso out injured and Sime Vrsaljko and Paolo Cannavaro both suspended.