Udinese will return to Serie A on Monday 12 at the Olimpico Grande Torino with their attacking options reduced, placing particular responsibility on Keinan Davis as Kosta Runjaic prepares for Torino.
The decision
Davis has been cleared of a serious injury after leaving the Cagliari match early, having played only 37 minutes. Given his difficult fitness record, the concern was understandable, but medical checks found no muscle damage and he can now aim to be available in Turin.
The English forward has yet to score in 261 minutes this season. Udinese need him to find the net soon, especially after the expectations created by his double-figure campaign last term.
Nicolò Zaniolo will not be alongside him. The forward suffered a right hamstring injury while away with Italy and is expected to be out for around a month, effectively ruling him out for most of October. He too is still waiting for his first Udinese goal.
Idrissa Gueye, who scored against Inter at San Siro, is also unavailable. He injured his right ankle in the friendly against Pogon Szczecin, a game in which he had also scored, and is likely to miss roughly two weeks.
Runjaic’s selection therefore has a clear outline. Davis is expected to lead the line, with Jurgen Ekkelenkamp operating behind him. The remaining attacking place is likely to be contested by Unai, who has not yet made a strong impression, and Georgia international Georges Mikautadze Chakvetadze, currently on national-team duty. Bayo is set to provide the main alternative from the bench.
There is at least one positive development from the treatment room. Arizala has resumed training with the squad after a month away, offering Udinese a further option as they try to manage a difficult spell for the forward department.
