Vincent Candela hopes to be ready for Roma’s UEFA Cup trip to Vardar Skopje next week after a long injury lay-off.
The Frenchman has barely featured this season after the meniscus ligament in his knee became prone to an infection.
“My objective is to become the real Candela once more after a difficult period of my career,” he explained.
“I am working hard to get back to full fitness and assure everyone that I am as determined and proud as ever despite not being 100 per cent.”
Candela has only played in one official game so far this season, the Week 1 2-1 victory at Udinese.
He made his return to the field as part of the youth team on Saturday in a bid to regain match fitness.
“I have never had such a serious injury before,” revealed the winger, “but in this line of work it has to happen eventually. I still have a lot to give Roma this year.”
The Giallorossi travel to Macedonia in midweek to play the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie with Vardar Skopje.
It should be a mere formality following the 4-0 humiliation inflicted on the visitors at the Stadio Olimpico.
“The knee still hurts,” he admitted, “but the doctors insist I will have to live with that for another couple of months.”
“I don’t expect to jump straight back into the first team line-up, but I doubt the Roma fans and Coach have forgotten about me already.”
The flu-ridden Francesco Totti is the latest Roma star to drop out of Wednesday’s UEFA Cup tie.
The captain was originally named in the squad travelling to face Vardar Skopje, but was ruled out at the last minute after coming down with a virus.
He remains in the Capital along with the injured Vincenzo Montella, Marco Delvecchio, Cristian Chivu and John Carew.
Having already won the first leg 4-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma will experiment with some younger players for the European encounter.
“This is an important match,” insisted Fabio Capello, “even if the opponents are not as prestigious as the ones we found in the Champions’ League.”
The Giallorossi will also welcome Vincent Candela back from a month-long lay-off caused by a sprained knee.
“I expect my team to be attacking, determined and concentrated,” explained the Coach, “especially those players who don’t get as much room as some others.”
The front pairing will probably consist of Under-21 internationals Antonio Cassano and Gaetano D''Agostino
