Inter's Adriano eyes return, fires warning

Brief news ahead of this weekend's matches in Italy's Serie A:

* Inter Milan forward Adriano is confident of getting out of coach Jose Mourinho's bad books in time for tomorrow's big match against Juventus but also warned that he would leave the club if he did not get regular action.

Mourinho dropped Adriano from the leaders' squad for four games because of indiscipline and the Brazilian also missed last week's 2-0 win at Palermo because of influenza.

"There was a problem and he decided to leave me out for four games. But I'm returning on Saturday, there's the important encounter with Juve," Adriano was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport after scoring in Brazil's 6-2 win over Portugal on Wednesday.

"I hope to have continuity at Inter. Naturally, if I don't get it there, I will with another team."

Champions Inter will be without suspended defender Ivan Cordoba for the San Siro showdown.

* Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen looks set to remain on the sidelines this weekend, with a thigh muscle problem, for Juve, who are three points behind Inter in third.

Gianluigi Buffon, who is out with a leg injury, is the target of a 75-million-euro bid that Manchester City are preparing to lure the Italy goalkeeper from Turin to the Premier League, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported today.

* Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo should be available for second-placed AC Milan's visit to Torino on Sunday after recovering from a thigh problem.

Defender Philippe Senderos is training with his team mates too after back and foot problems, the club said on their website (www.acmilan.com).

* Defender Marco Di Loreto is suspended for struggling Torino.

* Antonio Di Natale is expected to return from a knee problem for sixth-placed Udinese in tomorrow's trip to Fiorentina, media said.

However, fellow Italy forward Fabio Quagliarella is a doubt after breaking his nose while training with the national team before Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Greece in a friendly.

* Romania forward Adrian Mutu is confident of playing for the Florence side following a muscle problem, the latest in a series of injuries he has suffered this season.

"I'm ready to return and I'd like not to have to stop any more," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

* Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani should be available for AS Roma's match at Lecce on Sunday after a month out with a thigh injury, media reported.

Simone Perrotta is suspended for Roma, who want to prove they are over their miserable start following last week's 1-0 victory over Lazio in the derby and their 3-1 win over Chelsea in the Champions League two weeks ago.