Zaniolo injury doubt for Roma clash at Udinese

Nicolò Zaniolo is a doubt for Udinese's Serie A match against Roma on 31 October after sustaining a right biceps femoris injury on international duty. Udinese confirmed that instrumental testing revealed the muscle lesion following the injury Zaniolo suffered while on national team duty. He has begun rehabilitation, with recovery estimated at approximately 3–4 weeks, leaving his availability for the fixture against the Giallorossi uncertain. The injury timeline means Zaniolo's participation in what is always a keenly watched contest remains in question as Roma prepare for the away fixture.

Roma resumed training at Trigoria on 29 September with three key players absent from the session: Donyell Malen, Wesley and Bryan Cristante, all nursing minor injuries from the previous week. Malen is sidelined with a knee problem, Cristante has lower back pain, and Wesley suffered a right thigh strain in the match against Inter. All three will be assessed and gradually reintegrated into group training, with Cristante expected to return by the end of the week. Wesley and Malen should follow shortly after. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is already looking ahead to the major fixture on 11 October despite the upcoming Como match still some distance away. All three injured players are expected to start when fit. The squad will feature a battle for the playmaker role between Rodrigo Mora and Matías Soulé, while a defensive duel looms between Evan N'Dicka and Leonardo Balerdi. Lorenzo Pellegrini is among those in contention but is unlikely to feature from the start.

Roma's training camp at Trigoria resumes today following a rest period authorised by Gasperini. The squad will prepare for the Como fixture with most players available, though those on international duty will not yet return. Evan N'Dicka is the first to rejoin, with Sunday's return to Rome marking the start of a phased reintegration. Wesley, Bryan Cristante and Donyell Malen are improving and will resume group training in the coming days, clearing them for the 11 October away trip. A final decision on Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina's availability will be made today, following Argentina's fixtures.