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Pirlo doubtful for top-of-table tussle

Unbeaten Juventus may be without influential midfielder Andrea Pirlo for the first time this season for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash against Lazio.

Pirlo, ever-present since his off-season move from Milan, pulled out of Thursday's training after taking a knock to his knee.

Lazio coach Edy Reja has urged striker Djibril Cisse to have patience after the Frenchman's goal drought stretched to 10 league games in last weekend's goalless draw at Napoli.

"He must be patient because he has the quality," the veteran coach told reporters. "The spaces you are allowed are different in Italy, defenders are attentive and physically tough. I hope his run ends as soon as possible but I have complete faith in him."

Third-placed Milan, who have won five of their last six matches, host Chievo Verona in Sunday's late match.

Fifth-placed AS Roma have been hit by injuries ahead of Friday's mouthwatering clash at fourth-placed Udinese.

"Our way of playing is not negotiable," he told a news conference on Thursday. "Udinese are a dangerous side, but I want opponents to adapt their game to our way of playing not the other way around."

"My future is Nerazzurro," Milito, who has scored three Serie A goals this season, told Gazzetta TV. "Let's not talk about what happened two seasons ago. Not even the team can repeat that or, at least, it would be very difficult to do so."