Pozzi keen to prove his worth

Striker Nicola Pozzi is excited about having a chance to revive his career with Chievo, starting on Sunday at former club Parma.

Pozzi left one struggling team, Parma, for another this week and now he has an opportunity to make a difference after managing just three appearances for the Ducale club this season.

"I was told by Parma that I would not be getting much playing time," the 28-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm very happy that a team like Chievo showed an interest in me.

"I hope I can repay their confidence.

"What I really want is to feel important in a club and I sense that here at Chievo.

"I really want to give my contribution to this team."

The situation has been bad at Parma not only in terms of results but with players going unpaid for several months. Even so, Pozzi believes the hosts will fight hard on Sunday.

"I expect to find my former team-mates ready to give their all to win this game," he said. "It's a mistake to think that just because they (Parma players) have not been paid for several months, the players will run less on the pitch."

Chievo, coached by Rolando Maran, are winless since December 21 and are desperate to halt a three-match losing streak this weekend.

Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Napoli dropped the Flying Donkeys to 18th position in the Serie A standings - one point and one place adrift of Cagliari, who hold the last safety position.

Parma lie at the foot of the standings, 10 points adrift of safety after last weekend's 3-1 loss at AC Milan - their fourth straight defeat.

The Ducale club, who finished an impressive sixth in the top flight last term, have won just three and lost 17 of their 21 league games.

Off the pitch, Parma have been warned by the Italian football league that the club could risk going into administration if they do not pay the wages owed to their players by February 15.