Missing Players and team news:
Roma striker Edin Dzeko is set to be sidelined again on Thursday, having sat out the weekend’s win over Genoa, so Europa League regular Borja Mayoral will continue in the central striker’s role. Having signed a new long-term contract last week, centre-back Roger Ibanez is still a doubt, while top scorer and set-piece specialist Jordan Veretout pulled up in agony and was carried off versus Fiorentina – apparently sustaining a serious thigh injury which could see the Frenchman miss the rest of the month. The match-winner in Florence, Amadou Diawara, should therefore continue deputising for Veretout in midfield, while Bryan Cristante is set to switch back to the engine room after a spell covering injuries in the back three. Forwards Stefan El Shaarawy and Pedro were offered rare starts in the league, but may make way for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lorenzo Pellegrini, who should shift into a more advanced role than on Sunday. Visiting manager Luis Castro fielded a more or less full-strength side in the Donetsk derby, though both Alan Patrick – who could join Maycon in central midfield – and in-demand winger Manor Solomon may be drafted into the starting XI. One of a customarily burgeoning Brazilian-born contingent, Ukraine international Marlos should start in support of Junior Moraes, who is set to lead the line in Castro’s side. Deep-lying midfielder Taras Stepanenko remains out of commission with a knee injury sustained late last month.
