Palermo vs Hellas Verona preview - Vazquez wants to repay Palermo

Franco Vazquez is keen to repay Palermo for the faith shown in him after putting pen to paper on a four-year contract extension this week.

The Argentinian striker, who will start in attack against Hellas Verona on Sunday, voiced his delighted after signing a new deal which will keep him at the Sicilian club until June 2019.

Vazquez's previous deal expired this summer and Palermo were keen to tie the South American, who has formed a successful strike partnership with compatriot Paulo Dybala in the past two seasons.

"I am extremely happy to have signed this contract and I thank the club and the fans," Vazquez told his club's website. "I have signed this new deal because (Palermo president Maurizio) Zamparini has in mind to take Palermo to high levels and I believe I can do well here.

"I would like to break my previous record of seven league goals in a given season."

Vazquez has scored six while providing six assists in 19 league appearances for Palermo to help Giuseppe Iachini's side climb to eighth in the standings.

"Our first aim is to get to the 40-point mark, which will guarantee us Serie A football next season," Vazquez said. "Only then, will we think of achieving bigger aims."

Palermo have 27 on the bank so far after last weekend's 1-1 draw at Sampdoria.

The Sicilians are unbeaten at the Renzo Barbera stadium since September 29 and have collected five wins in their seven home games since.

Hellas halted a four-match winless streak with a 1-0 triumph over Atalanta last time out to climb to 14th place.

Javier Saviola's first goal of the season handed the Verona outfit their sixth win of the campaign.

Andrea Mandorlini's side will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Leandro Greco from suspension.

Luca Toni will lead Hellas' attack against his former club. The Italian veteran forward spent two successful seasons at Palermo before joining Fiorentina in 2005.