Luciano Spalletti has more injury problems piling up as Roma host Bologna, but stands by “warrior” Radja Nainggolan.

It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.

Leandro Paredes is in doubt, although tests showed his knee injury is only a bruise, but Mario Rui, Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi, Kostas Manolas and Emerson Palmieri miss out.

Luciano Spalletti has more injury problems piling up as Roma host Bologna, but stands by “warrior” Radja Nainggolan.

It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, click here for a match preview.

Leandro Paredes is in doubt, although tests showed his knee injury is only a bruise, but Mario Rui, Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi, Kostas Manolas and Emerson Palmieri miss out.

“It is not true that Thomas Vermaelen is considering surgery. The pain remains tolerable, but a sports hernia requires a lot of time to recover from and it’s not possible to have accurate predictions on his recovery. We hope to have him back in a few weeks. Let’s say the response is positive.

“Bologna are a good team with a strong club behind them. Roberto Donadoni knows how to give a clear identity to the squad. It’ll be a difficult game, as they all are, but we want to continue our growth.

“Everyone is improving, we can see something different. During the matches we tend to highlight the positives, but this team really does want to win. We use every moment to create dangerous opportunities.

“Edin Dzeko is scoring regularly and is the kind of player who can represent a big advantage for Roma. Our defence is reliable and the 4-2-3-1 formation was born to fit our characteristics.”

Nainggolan was surprisingly dropped from the Belgium squad, as Coach Roberto Martinez said the midfielder needs to get back to full fitness.

“This is the player we want to see,” assured Spalletti. “He struggled for a couple of games, but now battles hard, runs, shoots and presses. Radja is in good shape, there’s no doubt. Now he’s the warrior we know and love.”

There was controversy over the last 24 hours when La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed Gigi Buffon said teams “step aside” for Juventus in Serie A.

The club released a statement denying he said that, but the newspaper insists it stands by its source. Does Spalletti believe opposition teams do less against Juve?

“I don’t know what happens at Juventus. I just think of Roma, as we are not helped by anybody. We must always give our best in every situation.”

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