Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo is set to make his first Serie A start for AC Milan in Siena on Saturday, coach Carlo Ancelotti has said.
"Ronaldo will probably be in the starting line-up," Ancelotti said in a chat session with fans on the club's internet site.
"He is working well in training. He has improved, he is highly motivated and he is the most talented footballer in the game at the moment".
The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year came off the bench to make his debut for Milan last Sunday in the 2-1 win over Livorno.
The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid star did not score, but he hit three shots from the edge of the penalty area - two of which went close - and showed some nice touches.
Perhaps more importantly he was fired up and in decent physical shape, in sharp contrast with the apathetic, overweight figure of the final part of his spell at Real.
"I'm ready for Siena," Ronaldo said. "I can play from the first minute if Ancelotti wants me to".
Milan have recovered from a disastrous early-season spell to climb up to seventh place in Serie A.
They have won five of their last six league games and have their sights set on finishing in the top four to qualify for next season's Champions League. They are now just two points behind fourth-placed Empoli.
Leaders Inter are seeking to beat Cagliari (13th) at home on Saturday afternoon to conserve their 11-point advantage over second-placed AS Roma.
If Inter do so, they will break the European record for consecutive league wins. They equalled the tally of 15 notched up by great past Real Madrid and Bayern Munich teams last weekend with a 0-2 win at Chievo Verona.
Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to return to the Inter line-up after recovering from a head injury.
He should form a strike partnership with Argentina sharp-shooter Hernan Crespo or Julio Cruz.
In-form Brazil forward Adriano is one of a number of first-team regulars who are likely to be rested in view of Tuesday's Champions League clash against Celtic in Glasgow.
Serie A's top scorer Francesco Totti - the author of 14 goals so far - leads Roma on a tough trip to high-flying minnows Empoli.
On Sunday afternoon Palermo (3rd) welcome strugglers Chievo (17th) to Sicily, while Lazio (5th) play host to a Torino outfit that have lost five and drawn one of their last six matches.
Catania will play their home game against Fiorentina behind closed doors at a neutral venue.
On Wednesday the Italian Soccer Federation banned the club from using its home ground until the end of the season, following the death of a police officer during rioting at the February 2 derby match with Palermo.
The following games will also be played behind closed doors because the home grounds do not comply with security regulations: Ascoli (bottom) - Udinese (9th), Livorno (14th) -Messina (18th) and Reggina (16th) - Atalanta (8th).
Season-ticket holders should be allowed into the Parma (19th) - Sampdoria (10th) game as the stadium is almost up to scratch. The same is true for the Empoli-Roma and Inter-Cagliari matches.
