Udinese vs Cagliari preview - Udinese hoping for Di Natale boost

Udinese are hoping to have captain Antonio Di Natale available for Sunday's home match against Cagliari.

The Italian veteran forward, who is Udinese's top scorer with eight league goals, missed last weekend's 1-1 draw at Sassuolo with the flu and is doubtful for this weekend's match.

The Friuli outfit have five players unavailable through injury this weekend while four others are on international duty.

Moreover, three players have left the club during the winter transfer window, leaving Udinese coach Andrea Stramaccioni with a weakened side.

"I think any team who is missing 14 players would struggle," Stramaccioni told the Italian press. "We certainly could have done without the injuries.

"My hope is to at least recover Di Natale on Sunday, who is a key player for us.

"This is an important game for Udinese and we have to give our all."

Stramaccioni's side have not won at home since October 29 and are desperate to pick up more points at the Friuli stadium to climb up in the standings.

Udinese have collected just two points from their last four league game to drop to 12th place.

Rivals Cagliari halted a nine-match winless run in Sunday's 2-1 home triumph against Parma as they recorded their third victory of the campaign and their first under coach Gianfranco Zola.

"This was a beautiful and important result for us," Zola said to the Italian press. "It will allow us to look ahead with optimism.

"We've handed good performances in recent games and I expect more of the same at Udinese."

Cagliari were unable to give continuity to that results, however, as they fell 2-1 at Parma on Wednesday to bow out of the Coppa Italia.

"We would have liked to have honoured this competition," Zola said. "But our priority is to defend our Serie A status."

Cagliari are currently 18th in the standings, two points adrift of Atalanta, who hold the last position of safety.

The Sardinian outfit will be bolstered by the return of captain Daniele Conti and striker Diego Farias from suspension.