CHIESA INJURY BLOW FOR VIOLA

The forward, who committed his future to the troubled Florence club on Friday, after rejecting overtures from Lazio, picked up an injury in the first-half of his side`s clash with Venezia on Sunday.

He left the pitch in agony and it has now emerged that he has pulled a tendon in his knee and will be out for at least six months, and could mean that his season is over already.

Fiorentina were already in dire trouble before this setback, with money problems forcing them to sell a number of star players during the summer, and their hopes of avoiding relegation have suffered a devastating blow with the loss of the Italian marksman.

The Viola may now re-think the proposed sale of Portuguese international striker Nuno Gomes, as they earlier claimed that they have begun talks with Liverpool over his transfer.

Initial reports say that the left knee injury is similar to the one suffered by Internazionale`s Brazilian marksman Ronaldo, who was sidelined for over a season, and it would mean the forward has little chance of making next year`s World Cup finals.

A clearly worried Fiorentina coach Roberto Mancini said: "Enrico is at the hospital, his season may be over. Obviously. we all do not hope so, but we will have to wait for results of the medical tests.

"Everything will be harder for Fiorentina without him," he added, bluntly. Chiesa was taken to hospital, and is set to have surgery during the week, where he issued a defiant statement, saying: "I will not give up. I hope to be back quickly. My recovery starts right now."

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has reacted to the news by replacing Chiesa with Roma forward Vincenzo Montella for the upcoming international with Hungary.

Trapattoni, meanwhile, has revealed that Roberto Baggio is in his plans for next year`s World Cup.

"Baggio is one of the players I would like to bring to Japan next summer, but I still need more time to think about this affair," he said.