Francesco Totti is an injury doubt for AS Roma's match at Serie A leaders Inter Milan on Sunday night.
The Roma skipper missed Friday training because of pain in his right knee that has dogged him all season and led to an under-par display at Arsenal in midweek.
But the inspirational skipper is ''optimistic'' to make the match, Roma sources said.
Roma is hoping to get into the Champions League qualification zone by doing what Manchester United couldn't this week and beating Inter Milan at the San Siro.
Roma, runners-up the last two years, had a dismal start to the season, losing six of their first nine games including a 4-0 drubbing by leaders and champs Inter.
But a return to form has lifted them into sixth place, 16 points behind Inter, and they may well have strikers Mirko Vucinic and Jeremy Menez back in the mix against Jose' Mourinho's side.
The Roma attack was toothless in their 1-0 loss in their Champions League last 16 first leg at the Emirates on Tuesday, not getting a shot on goal.
Francesco Totti looked a shadow of himself but was clearly struggling with his injury.
The captain is badly needed against Inter, even if Vuicnic and possibly Menez return.
At the back, Roma will still be without standout Brazil centreback Juan as it faces the threat of Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The bulky Brazilian and the hulking Swede were not at their best in the goalless draw with Man Utd on Tuesday but Mourinho is hoping for the kind of intimidating performances which have become routine as Inter has built up a nine-point lead over Juventus.
Inter central defenders Walter Samuel and Marco Materazzi are unavailable through injury but 18-year-old fullback Davide Santon, who coped well with European Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, may get another chance to shine.
