Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Claudio Marchisio to fill Paul Pogba void at Juventus against Inter?

Juventus may have to do without Paul Pogba for their clash with Inter Milan when Serie A returns to action next week, but Claudio Marchisio may be back in contention for a place.

Pogba returned to Turin on Thursday after a sprained ankle forced him out of France's international friendlies against Armenia and Denmark. He is to receive treatment from his club's medical team, although he is currently rated doubtful for the Derby d'Italia next weekend.

His place in the side for that game could be taken by Marchisio, who came through a full training session, including a warm-up match against amateur side Aygreville, on Thursday.

The Italy international has been sidelined since mid-September due to an adductor injury and missed their Champions League clashes with Manchester City and Sevilla.

His absence has seen coach Massimiliano Allegri forced to improvise with his midfield, with Hernanes and Mario Lemina both getting playing time.

Marchisio was the man earmarked to fill the Andrea Pirlo role following the veteran's summer switch to New York City FC and his return will come as a boost to the Bianconeri, who face an intense period of fixtures after the international break.

After travelling to second-placed Inter, they host Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League, and then welcome Atalanta to the Juventus Stadium four days later. Then follows a midweek trip to high-flying Sassuolo and the Turin derby, before they head to Germany to face Gladbach.

The Old Lady will then go to Empoli before the next break for internationals in November, by which time they will hope to have climbed from their current 12th position in the table.

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