THE TRIO should be back in time for the Champions League game next Tuesday; new injury for Riccardo Saponara.

Milan finally have reasons to smile. The start of the season has been a typical Massimiliano Allegri start as his side only managed one win from the opening four rounds (just like in his three first seasons at Milan) and the injury list is long.

However, the list of the unavailable men is about to get shorter as Mattia De Sciglio, Riccardo Montolivo and Stephan El Shaarawy are expected to return for the Amsterdam Arena clash with Ajax in the 2nd matchday of the Champions League.

Bologna-Milan: Probable formations

Bologna-Milan: The Rossoneri squad

“Balotelli [who is suspended for the next three games after allegedly telling the referee: ‘I will kill you’] will definitely play against Ajax. Montolivo and El Shaarawy should also be ready for that match,” coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed in the press conference yesterday and today’s La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that also the youngster De Sciglio will be fit.

Montolivo, De Sciglio and El Shaarawy are all very important as the midfield, defense and attack can all use these key players who, at least on paper, should be in the starting XI with the likes of Emanuelson, Muntari and Alessandro Matri starting from the bench. Allegri also confirmed that Riccardo Saponara picked up a new injury in training: “Saponara has not been called up because he had a slight problem in his left knee on Tuesday morning, he’ll have tests on Wednesday.”

Saponara has been unlucky to say the least – he missed the pre-season with a groin injury and just returned to training this week to sustain another injury. Kaka meanwhile, is unlikely to be fit for the game against Juventus, according to GdS.