After it was revealed earlier today that central defender Gianluca Mancini tested positive for COVID, the Giallorossi are also likely to be without fellow defender Chris Smalling.
Corriere dello Sport reports that the Englishman, who has yet to feature for the Giallorossi since completing his return to the club earlier this month, was limited to individual work during today’s training session.
The odds of Smalling being able to recover from his sprained knee in time for Monday’s fixture are extremely unlikely. Manager Paulo Fonseca will likely have to continue the four-man defence that he has used in recent matches.
Fonseca did bring defenders Federico Fazio and Juan Jesus back into the fold yesterday during the Giallorossi’s victory in the Europa League, but they’re unlikely to feature against the Rossoneri.
