Player Talk : Buffon

Juve’s new Buffon fears

Reports from Juventus’ training ground suggest that Gigi Buffon is once more in doubt for the trip to Udine this weekend.

The Old Lady face Udinese in a crucial Champions League qualification showdown this weekend and were hoping to welcome Azzurri goalkeeper Buffon back to the side.

The former Parma custodian has been absent with a back problem, but Juve medical bulletins had insisted that he was ready to return between the posts.

However, Buffon looked in pain during training today at Vinovo, especially when getting back up after diving saves.

The medical staff will be very reluctant to send Juve’s No 1 back into action before he is ready as they fear that his problem may become more severe and require an operation that could lead to months on the sidelines.

The good news for Claudio Ranieri is that Giorgio Chiellini and Mauro Camoranesi are fully recovered from their injuries and will be fit for the Stadio Friuli encounter.

Czech international Zdenek Grygera and Azzurri man Raffaele Palladino only took part briefly in a light training session.

Christian Molinaro was absent, as were Marco Marchionni and Jorge Andrade who had a session in the gym.

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