Inter looking for Eto'o boost

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

* Inter are hoping Samuel Eto'o can shake off an ankle knock in time for Sunday's visit to Parma after the Cameroon forward returned from the African Nations Cup to further boost the leaders' title challenge.

Brazil defender Lucio and Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder are suspended after being sent off in last weekend's 2-0 win over second-placed city rivals Milan, which sent Inter nine points clear at the top.

Serb midfielder Dejan Stankovic is still struggling with a calf muscle problem.

* Juventus are set to make an announcement on coach Ciro Ferrara's future on Friday after their dismal form continued with yesterday's 2-1 defeat by Inter in the Italian Cup quarter-finals.

After slipping to sixth, media reports have said a caretaker could now be appointed until the end of the season, with former AC Milan and Inter boss Alberto Zaccheroni being tipped as the likely candidate.

Whoever is in charge for Sunday's home game against Lazio will be without keeper Gianluigi Buffon and defender Fabio Grosso, both suspended, and a host of injured players.

* Milan, who have a game in hand on Inter, look set to be without Alexandre Pato again for Sunday's home match against Livorno because of a thigh injury.

Centre back Alessandro Nesta is battling to regain fitness following a leg muscle strain that ruled him out of the derby.

* Lowly Livorno visit the San Siro without suspended keeper Alfonso De Lucia and midfielder Mozart.

* Fitness problems mean third-placed Roma are unlikely to have captain Francesco Totti up front in Sunday's home game against Siena while Luca Toni is out for a month with a calf problem.

* Midfielder Michele Pazienza is suspended for fourth-placed Napoli's home game against Genoa tomorrow.