Former Empoli star recently returned from injury.
AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has insisted that promising starlet Riccardo Saponara needs time to work his way into the first-team.
The 21-year-old recently returned to training after an injury lay-off, and considering his lack of playing time over pre-season and during the opening stages of the campaign it had been thought he was unlikely to feature in the near future.
However, due to the injury crisis that Milan are currently suffering from combined with Mario Balotelli’s suspension for the trip to Bologna on Wednesday, there have been calls for Saponara to be more involved.
The attacking midfielder can be used in the trequartista role, and had been signed prior to Kaka as the solution to Milan’s tactical switch.
However, Allegri has insisted that he will not rush the promising youngster back into action and he will continue to evaluate his condition.
“Saponara has only trained twice with the team,” Allegri said according to Football Italia.
“He’s a young player who has to grow and he’ll be put in the team when the time is right. I’ll take him into consideration when he’s fit and ready.”
Fellow summer signing Valter Birsa has been deployed in the role over the last two games, but has enjoyed little success as Milan have come under criticism for their lack of squad depth.
The likes of Mattia De Sciglio, Riccardo Montolivo and Stephan El Shaarawy have all been ruled out for weeks due to injury, with Saponara amongst a group of players working their way back to full fitness.
It is likely that Bologna may come too soon for the former Empoli star, but Rossoneri supporters will undoubtedly be encouraged by the news he has resumed full training.
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