Amid a frenzy of midweek activity - in which embattled coach Paulo Fonseca was fired and Jose Mourinho unexpectedly hired - Roma host in-form Manchester United in their Europa League semi-final second leg, still with numerous selection concerns to consider.
Though first choice centre-back Gianluca Mancini served a European ban in the first leg at Old Trafford and can now return to the XI, the Giallorossi have doubts over the involvement of several members of their midfield.
Fonseca was forced to withdraw both Jordan Veretout and Leonardo Spinazzola last Thursday, with the pair since having missed out on Sunday's defeat to Sampdoria. Meanwhile, Amadou Diawara and former Barcelona academy graduate Carles Perez were also sidelined at the weekend, so Gonzalo Villar and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are favoured to start.
Despite re-joining training, injury-plagued rising star Nicolo Zaniolo is yet to recover full fitness after tearing his ACL last autumn, with his comeback now expected to be pushed back until next season. Wing-back Bruno Peres should, though, overcome a knock sustained last time out - however experienced forwards Stephan El Shaarawy and Pedro are still nursing thigh strains.
In further bad news for the Serie A side, first-choice goalkeeper Pau Lopez will miss the remainder of the season, as he requires shoulder surgery after being forced off in the first leg and - though third-choice Daniel Fuzato was given a rare opportunity at the weekend - veteran stopper Antonio Mirante is expected to deputise on Thursday.
Roma possible starting lineup: Mirante; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Cristante, Villar, Peres; Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan; Dzeko
> Click here to see how Manchester United could line up for this contest
Jonathan O'Shea
