Ex-Reggina marksman Rolando Bianchi admits that a return to the peninsula is possible as he struggles to make an impression at Manchester City.
The 24-year-old fired his way to fame with 18 goals in Reggio Calabria last year, but has recently been forced to accept a substitute's role at Eastlands.
'I'm not used to being left out of the side and we will have to see what happens,' Bianchi told Il Corriere dello Sport.
'I'm from Bergamo and I the only way I know is to be stubborn and work hard. I have to convince the boss to change his ideas. Eriksson has explained that he wants a faster striker and he seems to have been proven right by the results, but Manchester City is a test I will succeed in.'
Despite his lack of playing time, Bianchi has shown promise when given the chance with two goals in five games in all competitions.
'I have set a reasonable deadline of December for things to change and then we will have to consider options as I don't like playing five or 10 minutes of games,' he revealed.
In pre-season, Bianchi had looked set for a move to Napoli, but the deal broke down as reports suggested that the Atalanta youth product had refused the move.
'I still ask myself what happened at Napoli and I want to repeat to the people there that I would never dream of snubbing their city or team,' he insisted.
'I have seen some strong words said on their websites and insults from Napoli fans, but I don't think I deserve that.'
It is believed that a number of Serie A sides, including Napoli, are keeping an eye on Bianchi and could swoop in January to end his English adventure.
05 October 2007
Antonio Di Natale will not play in Atalanta-Udinese after the sudden death of his mother. 'There are more important things than football.'
The forward has been on sensational form of late with a series of decisive and spectacular goals for both Udinese and Italy.
He was set to take a leading role in Saturday's trip to Bergamo, but Coach Pasquale Marino and the club have released him on compassionate leave.
'There are more important things than football,' said Marino. 'Toto was not put under any pressure and we are close to him.'
In fact, if he feels up to it, Di Natale can still be added to the squad ahead of the 17.00 UK time kick-off at the Stadio Azzurri d'Italia.
'As for the tactical situation, we have valid alternatives like Antonio Floro Flores. He is in good shape and once he scores that first goal, he will get even better.'
The Friulani have won three of their last four games, interrupted by a surprise 3-2 defeat at Genoa.
'We are looking for consistency. That is why, even though we will play our usual attacking style, I will ask my team to be particularly wary of their dangerous strikers.'
Palermo supremo Maurizio Zamparini has hit out at Coach Stefano Colantuono after the Rosanero's 3-1 defeat at Empoli.
The Sicilians had led through Uruguayan youngster Edison Cavani, but they were hit by three second-half goals and lost 3-1.
The result was a shock given that the Aquile were unbeaten in four and had defeated Milan in midweek, while Empoli were searching for their first win of the campagn.
It seems that the heroics against the European champions were quickly forgotten by the fiery Zamparini.
'I am waiting for Colantuono to turn this group of excellent individuals into a team, just as Inter have,' he told Il Corriere dello Sport.
'I just saw a flimsy performance which was our worst of the season. Our position in the table is the result of moments of class rather than us playing well and Colantuono's sole task is to make us into a unit.'
Three points are a must for the ex-Atalanta boss as his men face Reggina in a crunch match next weekend.
