PIACENZA FORWARD THINKING

SERIE B promotion hopefuls Piacenza have started planning early for next season, by opening talks with Internazionale on loaning out the Nerozzurri's young attackers Andrea Pirlo and Nicola Ventola.

Victory over Sampdoria on Sunday will confirm Piacenza's return to the Italian top flight after one season away, and the club are keen to avoid a repeat of their last Serie A campaign when they finished bottom, eighteen points adrift of safety.

Pirlo is currently sidelined and will miss the remainder of the season, after picking up an injury, whilst on loan at Brescia but the Italian Under-21 international, who began his career at Brescia, is likely to return to partner Roberto Baggio at Brescia next season.

Ventola (pictured) is also out on loan at Atalanta and has outlined his wish to return to Milan, although the former Bari star, who cost Inter £9 million three years ago, may be receptive to an offer from a club other than Atalanta.

The 23-year-old has scored ten goals for Atalanta this season, but, after being left out of the side that drew with Reggina last Sunday, Ventola publicly confessed his disappointment and seemingly ended the club's hopes of making the move a permanent one.